What Led Odisha Police to Submit a Preliminary Chargesheet in the FM College Student Death Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Preliminary chargesheet submitted by Crime Branch in a major case.
- 120 witnesses have provided testimonies.
- Significant evidence obtained from digital devices.
- Four individuals have been arrested so far.
- Public outcry has led to statewide protests.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 9 (NationPress) The Crime Branch of Odisha Police has presented a preliminary chargesheet to the Court regarding the tragic self-immolation incident involving a female student at the FM (Autonomous) College in Balasore.
In an official announcement, the Odisha Police confirmed that the chargesheet includes testimonies from 120 witnesses, as well as crucial evidence gathered from various digital devices and other sources.
Moreover, it was noted that under section 193(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a thorough preliminary chargesheet consisting of 504 pages was submitted to the court by the Crime Branch on Tuesday.
The investigation remains active, aiming to gather additional evidence and determine the involvement of other individuals in this case. It is essential to highlight that the investigation was initiated by a team led by Iman Kalyani Nayak, DSP of CAW & CW, following a complaint from the brother of the deceased student.
According to the complaint, the Head of the Department (HoD) and Assistant Professor Samir Kumar Sahu allegedly subjected the victim to mental harassment and demanded inappropriate favors from her, as she was a third-year B.Ed student at FM College, Balasore.
Tragically, the victim took her own life through self-immolation on July 12 due to this harassment. She sustained over 90 percent burn injuries and succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, on July 14.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the Crime Branch has arrested four individuals linked to the case. The accused HoD Sahu was apprehended on July 12, while the college principal Dillip Ghose was taken into custody on July 14.
Additionally, two college students, Subhra Sambit Nayak and Jyoti Prakash Biswal, were arrested on August 3 on charges of criminal conspiracy and abetment to suicide.
This incident has sent shockwaves throughout the state, prompting the opposition Congress and Biju Janata Dal to criticize the state government for the rising incidents of atrocities against women in Odisha since the BJP took power. The opposition has organized statewide protests to demand justice for the victim.