Crime Branch Begins Probe into FM College Student’s Self-Immolation Case

Balasore: A team from the Crime Branch, led by DSP Iman Kalyan Nayak, visited Fakir Mohan College in Balasore on Thursday as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic self-immolation of a student, allegedly driven by sustained harassment from an assistant professor.

Speaking to the media, DSP Nayak stated, “We have just initiated our investigation and are collecting preliminary evidence from the ground. We will review CCTV footage and, if necessary, interrogate members of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), her friends, and others. All aspects of the case are being thoroughly examined.”

The Crime Branch officially took over the case on Wednesday following orders from the Director General of Police, CID-CB, Vinaytosh Mishra. DSP Nayak has been entrusted with leading the investigation.

Earlier, the Balasore Police arrested two key college officials — Samira Kumar Sahoo, the Head of the Education Department, and Principal Dillip Ghose — in connection with the incident. Both have been booked under multiple IPC sections, including abetment of suicide, criminal intimidation, sexual harassment, stalking, and outraging the modesty of a woman.

The case pertains to the death of Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old B.Ed student at FM College, who succumbed to severe burn injuries after allegedly attempting self-immolation on July 12. The incident has sparked widespread public outrage and demands for strict action against those responsible.