Tragedy in Odisha: Arrests Made in College Student's Self-Immolation Case

In a harrowing development from Odisha, two individuals have been apprehended for allegedly provoking a college student to commit self-immolation. The young woman, a student at Fakir Mohan College in Balasore, succumbed to her injuries after setting herself on fire in response to perceived inaction on her sexual harassment complaint.

State police's Crime Branch detained Jyoti Prakash Biswal, a fellow student, and Subhra Sambait Nayak, a student organization officer. Biswal, who attempted to rescue the victim and sustained burn injuries, was recently discharged from a medical facility. Both were arrested from their respective homes and remain in judicial custody.

The tragic incident highlights severe lapses in addressing harassment complaints within educational institutions, leading to tragic outcomes. Authorities underscore the gravity of the charges, reflecting ongoing concerns about institutional accountability and justice for victims of harassment.

(With inputs from agencies.)