The Crime Branch of Odisha police has arrested two persons linked to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in connection with a student’s self-immolation on the campus of F.M. Autonomous College, Balasore, leading to her death last month.

Crime Branch, which was tasked with the investigation into death that sparked nationwide uproar over girl’s suicide, had picked up Subhra Sambit Nayak, ABVP’s State Joint Secretary and Jyotiprakash Biswal, who sustained injuries while rescuing the girl, late night of Sunday (August 3, 2025).

The 20-year-old girl had accused her teacher Samira Sahoo of harassing her. However, her repeated grievances had not been redressed. She had finally set herself on fire after rushing out from office of Principal on July 12. Two days after, with 95% burn injuries, she died in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

Earlier in several video footages, Subhra Sambit Nayak, who had graduated from college, was seen arguing with principal on behalf of the deceased girl and demanded auctioned against the accused teacher. Both accused were produced before local court and were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.

During investigation, Crime Branch officials had questioned students, teachers, parents and journalists and examined video evidences during past several weeks. Some more arrests are likely to be made in the case.

A few persons linked to National Students’ Union of India, student wing of Congress, may also come in the ambit of probe as they had posted remarks on the girl on social media sites.

The self-immolation by girl had raised serious questions about existence of functional internal complaint committees mandated under Internal Committee mandated under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH) and the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015.

Following girl’s suicide, Opposition political parties had cornered the Mohan Majhi Government over the issue of safety of women in the State. The State government had subsequently in series of directions ordered to come up with internal complaint committees in all educational institutes.

(Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts are encouraged to seek help and counselling by calling the helpline numbers here)