A 22-year-old student from Balasore in Odisha set herself on fire, accusing a senior professor of her college of sexual harassment. After this incident, CM Manjhi has announced financial aid of Rs 20 lakh.

A 22-year-old student from Odisha's Balasore district set herself on fire, accusing a senior college professor of sexual harassment. She was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar after suffering 95 per cent burn injuries, where she died on Monday night.

The student was a second-year student of Integrated B.Ed. course at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore. On July 1, she wrote a letter to the college's Internal Complaints Committee saying that if action is not taken against the accused, she will commit suicide. She accused Assistant Professor and Head of Education Department Samir Kumar Sahu of mental harassment and repeatedly demanding sexual favours.

1. In the letter, the student made serious allegations against the professor

In the letter, the student had written, “For the past few months, Professor Sameer Kumar Sahu has been harassing me mentally. He threatens me that he will fail me. He has also threatened to tell my personal matters to my family. The most serious thing is that he is repeatedly demanding sex from me, which I have repeatedly refused. I have tried to commit suicide and if the college does not take action, I will commit suicide. The professor and the college administration will be responsible for this.”

2. Principal and accused professor arrested

Four days after the student's warning, she poured petrol on herself and set herself on fire in front of the college principal's office. She was first taken to Balasore District Hospital and then referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The hospital said in a statement, "The patient was given all necessary treatment, but her condition was critical. She was declared dead at 11:46 pm on July 14." The police have arrested the accused Samir Kumar Sahu, and the college principal, Dilip Ghosh.

3. What did the Chief Minister and the President say?

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi has expressed grief over the death of the student. He said, "I pray to God that the soul of the student may rest in peace and give the family the strength to bear this loss. The culprits will be given strict punishment under the law. I myself have instructed the officials to take action."

President Draupadi Murmu , who was at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday to attend a convocation, also made a surprise visit to the burns department to inquire about the condition of the student.

This morning, the body of the student was brought to her village Palasia in Balasore district. As soon as the ambulance reached the village, there was silence and tears in the atmosphere. The villagers bid farewell to their daughter with teary eyes.

4. CM Manjhi announced to give Rs 20 lakh

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi has ordered a fair and comprehensive investigation of the incident so that all the culprits can be identified and legal action can be taken against them. Also, he has announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the family of the student.

5. Opposition attacks the government

Opposition parties including BJD and Congress have criticized the BJP government over the incident. They said that the student had to lose her life due to the failure of the system and action should be taken against the culprits as soon as possible.