A tragic case from Odisha’s Balasore district has raised serious questions about the handling of sexual harassment complaints in educational institutions.
Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old B.Ed student at Fakir Mohan College, died by suicide after allegedly being harassed by her Head of Department, Samir Kumar Sahu.
Soumyashree had reportedly approached Sahu seeking help with her attendance shortage. In return, he allegedly demanded sexual favours. She refused and later filed a formal complaint on July 1.
However, during the internal inquiry, she suspected that the college was shielding the accused. Her appeals to the college management, and later to various authorities on social media including the Chief Minister, Union Education Minister, and NCW—went unanswered.
On July 10, the college’s internal committee cleared the HoD of wrongdoing. Instead of support, the principal allegedly pressured her to withdraw her complaint, warning her of rustication. Feeling cornered, she staged a protest on July 12.
After meeting both the principal and the accused, she poured petrol on herself near the principal’s office and set herself on fire. She succumbed to her injuries two days later.
The incident has sparked outrage across the state and beyond. Following her death, HoD Sahu was arrested and the principal suspended.
The Higher Education Department initiated a probe, while NCW, NHRC, and UGC also took note. President Droupadi Murmu expressed concern, and Odisha’s Governor sought a detailed report.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced ₹20 lakh compensation and promised strict action.
Soumyashree’s death has exposed the deep failures in grievance redressal and accountability.
When a student who trusted the system is ignored until it’s too late, it reflects a need for urgent reforms to ensure that such pleas are never silenced again.
