Rising Concern: Fifth Self-Immolation Case in Odisha as Female Student Suffers 90% Burns After Harassment

Doctors have reported that the condition of the female undergraduate student is "highly critical" following her attempted self-immolation. (Representational)

An undergraduate female student has sustained approximately 90 percent burn injuries after allegedly attempting to set herself on fire in Odisha's Sundergarh district, according to police statements on Saturday.

This marks the fifth similar incident reported within the state over the past six months.

Authorities have arrested one individual who was allegedly harassing the college student in connection with this incident.

The tragic event occurred Friday night in the Lanjiberna area while the victim's family members were asleep.

The second-year student was initially transported to a local medical facility before being transferred to the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) in Rourkela.

Medical professionals have described her condition as "highly critical." Sundergarh Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur stated, "Police have arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with this case. Initial investigation suggests that the man was harassing the woman student."

The victim's mother revealed that her daughter had received a threatening phone call prior to the incident.

"All family members had gone to sleep on Friday night while she was studying. We woke up after hearing her screams and rushed her to a local hospital and subsequently to IGH. My daughter had received some threatening calls following which she attempted self-immolation," she explained.

This case emerges amid a series of similar incidents in Odisha since July. On July 14, a college student in Balasore died from burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after attempting self-immolation allegedly due to sexual harassment by her professor. Four individuals, including the professor and college principal, were imprisoned on abetment charges.

On July 19, a minor girl from Balanga in Puri district allegedly set herself ablaze and subsequently died during treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi on August 2. Police are still investigating the cause.

In another case, a 20-year-old undergraduate student in Kendrapara district died on August 6 after allegedly being blackmailed by her male friend, who has since been apprehended.

On August 11, a 13-year-old schoolgirl died by self-immolation in a field near her maternal uncle's residence under Phiringmal police station in Bargarh district.

Helplines: Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health - 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com, TISS iCall - 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm) (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)