A student of a major government college in Balasore, Odisha is struggling for her life, when she set fire to the campus by a senior faculty member alleged sexual harassment and inaction by college officials.
The woman is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Hospital sources said that her condition is “extremely important” as she maintains more than 90% of burn injuries. A special team of doctors has been formed to treat him.
The state has suspended the principal and the accused faculty member, while the police have arrested the latter.
According to college students, the woman was staging a dharna, alleging that the head of her department had constantly harassed her. According to sources, it had submitted a complaint to the Internal Complaint Committee, which had allegedly failed to function.
College officials claimed that the Internal Complaint Committee submitted its report on 9 July, but did not recommend anything about alleged sexual harassment. Sources said that the woman had also lodged a police complaint on 1 July, but the police did not take action on it.
According to a student, the woman claimed that the faculty member asked her for “unfair and unfair favor” and threatened to destroy her educational future if she refused. He also alleged that he was being prevented from participating in classes.
On Saturday, he poured petrol and took himself to the campus. He was rushed to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Some students trying to sink the flames also faced burnt injuries.
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According to separate orders issued by the Higher Education Department, the state government has suspended the college principal and the accused teacher on the basis of “Prima Facial Evidence in the case”, taking cognizance of the matter.
It said that the principal has “failed to perform his duties”.
Police arrested the accused faculty member after the incident and sent him to judicial custody. Balasore Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad said that a special team has been formed to investigate the matter.
State Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj said that a committee involving senior officials and academics has been formed by the college officials to investigate the alleged negligence.
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Asked why the police did not take action on their complaint first, Balasore SP said that the woman lodged a complaint with the Internal Complaint Committee on June 30 and then approached the police.
“We followed the matter with the Internal Complaint Committee, stating that they would submit a report within five days. When it did not come in five days, we have asked them again. The committee said that they will submit it as soon as possible. Now we are confirming the committee’s proceedings and their investigation status,” said Prasad.
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