Odisha Student Dies by Self Immolation Amid Blackmail Claims

In a distressing development, a Plus III third-year student has tragically died by suicide after self-immolation at her residence in Badapada village, within the Pattamundai Rural police station limits, on Wednesday afternoon. This marks the third instance of a young woman succumbing to burn injuries in Odisha since July 12, raising serious concerns across the state.

Police's preliminary investigation indicates the girl possibly set herself on fire following alleged harassment by her male friend. Her father recounted finding their daughter's room locked from inside upon returning home around 11 a.m. and, after breaking the door open, discovered her dead with serious burn injuries. 

He further asserted that a youth had been persistently harassing and frequently blackmailing her for the last two years, which ultimately led to her taking her own life. Kendrapara SP Siddharth Kataria and other senior police officers promptly rushed to the site and have initiated an investigation into the matter.

This latest tragedy follows two similar incidents in the state. On July 12, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore allegedly self-immolated after reportedly being harassed by her head of department, dying three days later at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. 

Subsequently, on July 19, a 15-year-old girl from Puri’s Balanga also reportedly self-immolated, being airlifted to AIIMS-New Delhi where she passed away on August 2.