Balasore student death: UGC forms four-member fact finding committee

Following the death of a student at the Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Odisha’s Balasore, the University Grants Commission, on Tuesday (July 15, 2025), said that it has formed a fact finding committee to investigate the issue.

Also Read | Balasore student death: The story so far

The committee will be headed by UGC member and professor at Guru Gobindh Singh Indraprastha University in New Delhi Raj Kumar Mittal. Former UGC member Sushma Yadav and Gujarat University vice-chancellor Dr. Neerja Gupta will be part of the committee and UGC joint secretary Dr. Ashima Mangla will be its coordinating officer.

The committee will submit a “detailed report with findings and recommendations” within seven days, the UGC said in its order.

A student attempted suicide on campus on Saturday (July 12, 2025), saying that her repeated complaints about sexual harassment by a college teacher went unheard. The accused teacher, Samir Sahu, was arrested after the incident. The student was first admitted to Balasore district hospital and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar but succumbed to her injuries on Monday (July 14, 2025).

Also Read | Odisha Governor seeks answers after college student’s self-immolation bid

The incident caused widespread outrage, as several opposition parties criticised the ruling BJP in the State. Amid the outrage, the principal of the college Dillip Kumar Ghosh was arrested and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

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