BHUBANESWAR: The 20-year-old college student from Balasore, who set herself on fire on Saturday, succumbed to her burn injuries late Monday night. She alleged sexual harassment by her teacher. Protests erupted outside AIIMS Bhubaneswar after hospital authorities declared her death.
According to a statement, the girl was brought to the casualty department of AIIMS Bhubaneswar at 5:15pm on July 12. Later, she was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU of the national institution. She was referred from Balasore district headquarters hospital.
"Patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated, and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11.46 pm on Monday," said the AIIMS Bhubaneswar statement.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote on X, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the girl student. Despite the govt's fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. Govt stands firmly with the family."
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote on X, "I am deeply saddened and heartbroken. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extend my condolences to the grieving family. In this sorrowful time, may Lord Jagannath grant the family immense patience and courage."
The higher education minister condoled the death of the girl. "Despite all efforts and prayers, we lost the student. In the meantime, the process of imposing the strictest punishment under a zero-tolerance policy against the guilty has begun. We are committed to ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future. What happened should not have happened. I am at a loss for words to condemn such an incident. May the Lord grant courage and strength to the family," he said in his X post.
The girl lodged a complaint with the internal complaints committee (ICC) on July 1 against her department head for allegedly harassing her sexually. Before this, she informed the principal about the incident. After lodging the complaint with the ICC, she posted the complaint letters and related matters on her X handle, tagging various govt authorities, but she did not get any reply.
On Saturday, she had a discussion with the college authorities and ICC committee members at the college. She was not satisfied with the approach of the principal and ICC members. She attempted to self-immolate and suffered 95 percent burns. She was immediately rushed to Balasore DHH and then AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment.
The incident created a hue and cry in the state. Political parties, student outfits, and social organisations staged protests demanding justice for the girl. The govt suspended and arrested the accused department head and principal of the college.
A three-member team has been formed by the govt to probe the matter. The National Commission for Women (NCW) and NHRC have taken cognizance of the case.
President Droupadi Mumru on Monday visited the burn unit of AIIMS Bhubaneswar to inquire about the health condition of the girl a few hours before her death.
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