Odisha Self-Immolation Case: Complaint Not Validated by Inquiry Panel, Says Crime Branch

The Crime Branch of Odisha Police, probing the tragic self-immolation case of a college student in Balasore, has revealed that the 20-year-old woman resorted to the extreme step after her sexual harassment complaint was not upheld by the institute’s internal inquiry committee.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Crime Branch Director General Vinaytosh Mishra said that although the college authorities had acted on the student’s complaint, the internal inquiry did not validate her allegations.

“Our investigation has found that the college initiated an internal probe after receiving her complaint. However, the inquiry team did not confirm her charges, which appears to have triggered her fatal reaction,” DG Mishra stated.

He further mentioned that discrepancies have been observed in the statements given by witnesses during the ongoing investigation. The Crime Branch is continuing its inquiry to establish the sequence of events that led to the young woman’s death.

The incident has sparked outrage across the state, with student unions and civil society demanding transparency, accountability, and swift justice. The state government had earlier handed over the case to the Crime Branch, following widespread protests and public concern over the handling of the issue by the college authorities.

Officials have assured that all aspects of the case, including the institutional response and the internal committee’s functioning, will be thoroughly examined.