Odisha student suffers 95% burns in self-immolation; expert panel formed
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Bhubaneswar: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, has constituted a high-level expert committee to monitor and oversee the treatment of Soumyashree Bisi, a B.Ed student who attempted self-immolation following alleged harassment by her department head.
Soumyashree Bisi, a second-year integrated B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, attempted to set herself ablaze in front of the principal’s chamber on Saturday. The act came after she had staged a protest demanding action against the Head of Department (HOD), Samir Kumar Sahu, accusing him of harassment. Despite filing a formal complaint, Bisi alleged that no action was taken by the college authorities, which left her deeply distressed.
Following the incident, Bisi was initially admitted to Balasore Medical College and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment due to the severity of her burns. She reportedly suffered burn injuries on 90 to 95 per cent of her body and is currently on ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to AIIMS Director Ashutosh Biswas, the student's lungs and kidneys have been affected, and her condition remains critical. The next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial in determining her recovery.
The medical team treating her comprises experts from various departments, as outlined in an office order issued by the Medical Superintendent of AIIMS. The panel includes Prof. Jayant Mitra (Anaesthesia), Prof. Manoj Panigrahi (Pulmonary Medicine), Dr. Sanjay Giri (Additional Professor, Burn and Plastic Surgery – Member Secretary), Dr. Shantanu Subba (Associate Professor, Burn and Plastic Surgery), Dr. Sandip Panda (Associate Professor, Nephrology), Dr. Debishree Das (Assistant Professor, Anaesthesia), Dr. Mahalingam (Nursing Superintendent-I), and Priyadarshini Sahoo (Assistant Nursing Superintendent).
The committee has been authorised to co-opt faculty from other clinical departments if required and is directed to provide the best possible care, free of cost, as per government orders. Dr. Sanjay Giri has also been authorised to provide official medical updates twice daily.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is expected to visit AIIMS Bhubaneswar later today to inquire about Soumyashree’s condition and meet with her family. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj had earlier visited the hospital on Sunday to assess the situation and speak to the medical team.
In response to the incident, the Odisha Higher Education Department has taken administrative action by suspending both the college principal, Dillip Kumar Ghosh, and the accused HOD, Samir Kumar Sahu. The Sahadevkhunta Police have also arrested Sahu following the incident.
To further investigate the allegations of harassment, the Higher Education Department has formed a high-level inquiry committee comprising Kali Prasanna Mohapatra (Director, Higher Education), Mousumi Nayak (Joint Secretary, Higher Education), and Prof. (Dr.) Jhumki Rath of B.J.B. Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar.
The case has drawn widespread attention and sparked serious concerns over student safety and institutional accountability in higher education settings.
With IANS inputs
