Bhubaneswar. A 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore,Odisha, who attempted self-immolation to protest alleged sexual harassment and institutional inaction, succumbed to her injuries late Monday night at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
The victim, Soumyashree Bisi, suffered over 90% burn injuries after setting herself ablaze on the college campus on July 12. She was first taken to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar due to the severity of her condition.
According to an official statement from the Department of Burn Centre at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the student was admitted on July 12 in critical condition. A multi-disciplinary team provided intensive medical support, including intravenous fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy.
ଏଫଏମ୍ ସ୍ୱୟଂଶାସିତ ମହାବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ଛାତ୍ରୀ ସୌମ୍ୟାଶ୍ରୀ ବିଶୀ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରରେ AIIMS ରେ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଛି ।
ସେ ବାରମ୍ବାର ନ୍ୟାୟ ମାଗିଥିଲେ, ଯେଉଁଠି ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ବିଭାଗ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ସମୀର ସାହୁଙ୍କ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ ଯୌନ ଉତ୍ପୀଡନ, ମାନସିକ ନିର୍ଯାତନା ଓ ବ୍ଲାକମେଲ୍ ଅଭିଯୋଗ କରିଥିଲେ।… #JusticeForSomyashri#ABVPOdisha pic.twitter.com/v8Id8Pj2E8
— ABVP Odisha (@abvpodisha) July 15, 2025
“Despite the best possible efforts by a dedicated team of specialists, the patient succumbed to her injuries. She was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14,” the hospital confirmed.
Odisha CM Expresses Grief Over FM College Student’s Death, Announces Rs 20 Lakh Compensation
Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student who succumbed to her injuries after an act of self-immolation in protest.
In an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO Odisha), Shri Majhi offered prayers for the deceased and extended heartfelt condolences to her family.
The Chief Minister has directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible face the “strictest possible punishment under the law,” emphasizing that no one involved will be spared.
https://twittercom/CMO_Odisha/status/1944979252807389273
Additionally, he announced an ex gratia payment of ₹20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to support the student’s next of kin during this time of immense grief.
Chronology of Events
A detailed timeline has emerged in the tragic case of Soumyashree Bisi, the 20-year-old B.Ed. student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who died from burn injuries after setting herself ablaze in protest against alleged sexual harassment and administrative inaction.
June 30
Soumyashree reportedly approached the college Principal, Dillip Ghosh, to formally complain against Sameer Ranjan Sahoo, Head of the Education Department, accusing him of persistent sexual harassment. She alleged that Sahoo demanded sexual favors in exchange for clearing her academic backlogs and threatened to jeopardize her future if she refused.
Post-Complaint Allegations
According to Soumyashree’s father, she faced further threats following her complaint. The family claims she was warned of being burdened with six years of academic backlog and even expulsion if she did not withdraw her complaint. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, there was reportedly no meaningful intervention by the college administration.
July 1
After no action was taken, the student posted her ordeal on social media and issued a warning that she would be forced to take extreme steps if the harassment continued.
@DHE_Odisha @suryabanshibjp @dpradhanbjp @CMO_Odisha @MohanMOdisha @DBalasore @manaskumardutta @EduMinOfIndia @NCWIndia pic.twitter.com/FqgdGhEhTG
— Soumyashree Bisi (@BisiSoumya24793) July 1, 2025
July 12 – The Tragic Day
On the morning of July 12, during a student protest outside the Principal’s office, Soumyashree poured petrol over herself and set herself ablaze. Students and staff rushed to her aid and managed to extinguish the flames. She was immediately transported to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar due to the severity of her injuries.
Doctors confirmed that she had sustained 90–95% burns, along with significant damage to her respiratory system and kidneys from inhaling toxic fumes and deep tissue burns.
Critical Care at AIIMS
Upon her admission to AIIMS, an eight-member multi-specialty medical team was assembled to oversee her treatment. She was placed on ventilator support, and dialysis was initiated due to signs of renal failure. Her treatment included collaboration with specialists at AIIMS Delhi via video conferencing.
Despite aggressive treatment protocols, doctors later confirmed that she had suffered irreversible internal organ damage. Her condition remained critical throughout her stay.
Administrative Action and Arrests
By the evening of July 12, the Higher Education Department suspended both Principal Dillip Ghosh and HOD Sameer Ranjan Sahoo.
That same night, Sameer Sahoo was arrested by Sahadevkhunta Police under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including abetment of suicide and sexual harassment.
The state government formed a three-member high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident. An internal inquiry was also launched on the FM College campus.
Student protests intensified on July 13, demanding the arrest of the Principal and justice for Soumyashree.
July 14
Principal Dillip Ghosh was arrested.
President Droupadi Murmu, accompanied by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar to assess the student’s condition and meet her family.
July 14, 11:46 PM – The End of a Brave Fight
After battling for nearly 60 hours, Soumyashree was declared clinically dead by AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The hospital confirmed that despite renal replacement therapy, ventilator support, and intensive care, she could not be revived due to multiple organ failure.
Her death has triggered widespread grief and outrage across the state, raising urgent questions about institutional accountability, student safety on campus, and the response to allegations of sexual harassment in higher education institutions.
ABVP Calls Soumyashree’s Death a Tragic Tale of Institutional Failure, Political Pressure, and Character Assassination; Demands Justice
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has described the death of Soumyashree Bisi as a heart-wrenching case of institutional failure, political bullying, and character assassination, and has called for justice.
In a series of social media posts, the ABVP stated that Soumyashree’s story starkly illustrates how an innocent student was harassed, defamed, and ultimately driven to despair.
https://x.com/ABVPVoice/status/1944931092882186390
Soumyashree Bisi, a bright and outspoken student of FM Autonomous College, faced relentless pressure after standing up to those in power. Her Head of Department (HoD), Sameer Sahoo, allegedly demanded sexual favors in exchange for clearing her academic backlogs. When she refused, the system turned against her.
She filed a formal complaint, and the Principal established an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). However, rather than protecting her, the system attempted to silence her. Her life became a nightmare filled with mental harassment, threats, and humiliation.
Members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress party, launched a defamation campaign against her, accusing her of playing politics and then complaining about attendance, claiming she was never in class, and asserting she didn’t even attend college. The image of Somyashree, a young woman with dreams, was systematically dismantled.
https://x.com/ABVPVoice/status/1944931112226316297
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also shared screenshots of defamatory social media posts made by NSUI members targeting Somyashree.
https://x.com/ABVPVoice/status/1944931125677449548
One post, by NSUI member Ajay Kumar Panda, alleged that she had personal connections with the Education Minister and used those ties for special privileges and protection. ABVP described this as a calculated attempt to publicly shame and discredit her.
https://x.com/ABVPVoice/status/1944931141401620868
As the ICC report was nearing release, Somyashree met with the Principal again. According to ABVP, he bluntly told her, “He will be given a clean chit. You will face disciplinary action. It’s better if you ‘compromise.’” The accused was protected, while the victim was punished.
The final blow came in the form of victim-blaming. She was labeled “mentally unstable,” accused of “seeking attention,” and dismissed as someone who “just wanted marks.” Her dignity was stripped away, and she was isolated. But she was not unstable; she was unheard.
ABVP also released a photo purportedly showing the accused Head of Department dining with NSUI leaders, claiming it as evidence of political patronage.
The final blow? Blame the victim.
They said she was “unstable.”⁰That she was doing it “for attention.”⁰That she “just wanted marks.”They stripped her of dignity.⁰They isolated her.
She was not unstable. She was unheard.In photo : The culprit having dinner with leaders of… pic.twitter.com/BUNg0A3NYz
— ABVP (@ABVPVoice) July 15, 2025
In unbearable pain and desperation, Somyashree set herself ablaze. At 11:40 PM on July 14, 2025, she was declared clinically dead at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. This was not suicide; it was a death driven by a broken and complicit system.
Addressing the enablers, including college administration, Principal Samir Sahu, and the NSUI trolls, ABVP stated: “You didn’t just fail a student; you destroyed her humanity. She cried for help — you silenced her. She sought justice — you protected her abuser. She stood strong — you buried her.”
ABVP condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms. “We stand firmly with Somyashree and every girl who has suffered injustice. This is not about ideology; it represents a shameful failure of justice. A precious life has been lost due to systemic cruelty,” the statement read.
“What kind of system compels a girl to set herself on fire just to be heard? This is not only wrong; it is inhuman. Never again. Not one more Somyashree,” the ABVP’s social media post concluded.
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