FM College Self-Immolation Case: Crime Branch Files 349-Page Chargesheet Naming 4

Balasore: The Crime Branch has submitted a comprehensive 349-page chargesheet in the high-profile self-immolation case of a girl student from Balasore’s FM College. The detailed report was filed on Tuesday at the SDJM Court, Balasore, naming four individuals as accused, all of whom are currently in judicial custody. This move marks a significant progression in a case that had shaken the state.

The chargesheet, a culmination of weeks of intensive investigation by a three-member Crime Branch team, includes testimonies from 120 witnesses. Among those charged are Sameer Kumar Sahoo, the Head of Department and Dillip Ghosh, the former principal of FM College. Both had been arrested earlier in connection with the case. Additionally, a current and a former student of the college have also been named and taken into custody.

The victim, a student at FM College, had attempted self-immolation on June 12, allegedly driven to the extreme step by continuous harassment and the college authorities’ inaction. She later succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, sparking widespread outrage and reigniting a crucial debate on student safety and institutional accountability in Odisha.

The Crime Branch’s submission of the chargesheet indicates a push for a swift trial, aiming to deliver justice. The investigating team reportedly collected vital leads and digital evidence during their probe.The Crime Branch Director General, Vinaytosh Mishra, had previously noted that while substantial evidence had been gathered, some witnesses had changed their statements, adding a new dimension to the investigation.