Female student in India sets herself on fire over 'inaction' on sexual harassment complaint against professor

A female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, India, self-immolated to protest the inaction over her sexual harassment complaint against her professor.

Self-immolation is the act of setting oneself on fire.

According to Hindustan Times, the incident took place on Jul. 12.

Assistant professor Samir Kumar Sahu, the professor in question, was arrested hours after the female student attempted suicide.

Dilip Ghosh, the principal of the college, was also placed under suspension for failing to take action in the case.

Professor asked for "favours"

According to Hindustan Times, the female student had previously filed a sexual harassment complaint against Sahu on Jul. 1.

She said that Sahu had repeatedly asked her for sexual favours and threatened to ruin her academic career if she did not comply with his demands.

She said she was in "extreme mental agony" over it.

She was allegedly assured that action would be taken in a week but nothing happened.

No conclusive outcome

Hindustan Times reported that one of the female student's acquaintances revealed that an internal committee was set up to investigate the allegations made.

The female student had also filed a police report and approached Balasore member of Parliament (MP) Pratap Sarangi over the issue.

However, no action was taken.

According to Ghosh, the internal committee had not found any evidence of sexual exploitation.

Another one of the female student's classmates alleged that the investigation done by the internal committee was "a sham" and that "it was designed to protect the teacher and bury the truth".

Held a protest on Jul. 12

Hindustan Times reported that on Jul. 12, the female student and her classmates held a protest outside the college gate.

However, the female student suddenly rushed to an area near the principal's office where she set herself on fire and attempted to die by suicide.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage caught the female student on fire and running into the corridor of the college.

A man had initially tried to help her but backed away after his shirt caught fire.

The female student subsequently ran out of the corridor and other people were seen trying to extinguish the fire.

The female student was later rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar for treatment.

Two other male students, who tried to save her, were also admitted and treated for burn injuries.

In critical condition

According to Deccan Chronicle, AIIMS Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas stated that the female student had sustained 90 to 95 per cent deep burn injuries.

Her kidneys and respiratory system were also severely damaged.

He reported that she is currently on “advanced life support” and there has been “no significant improvement” since she was admitted.

Female student's brother speaks up

The female student’s brother told NDTV that his sister had informed him earlier that they were going to protest and get a statement from the principal.

He criticised the college administration for not taking his sister’s complaint seriously and said that none of this would have happened if a proper and fair investigation had been done earlier.

“I will not spare anyone. I can go to any length. Don’t underestimate the power of a citizen. There has to be a free and fair probe and I will ensure she gets justice.”

High-level inquiry committee formed

According to NDTV, MP Sarangi said that after the female student had informed him about what had happened, Ghosh had assured him that “the internal enquiry committee would give a final report in five days and will solve this issue”.

He also revealed that the female student had told him that she wanted to die by suicide but he told her not to and that she would get justice for what happened to her.

He also questioned the accountability of the college’s internal inquiry committee, stating that “the committee is biased towards trying to save the Head of Department Samir Sahu”.

Hindustan Times reported that Odisha's Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj said that a high-level inquiry committee has been formed and further action will be taken once the report is out.

Top photo via NDTV