NEW DELHI: After a college student in Odisha burned herself when the sexual harassment complaints went unheard, the state education minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, on Sunday said that the government will cover all the medical expenses. During his visit to AIIMS, the minister assured that a high-level committee would be formed to investigate the matter, promising stringent action based on their findings.“A high-level committee has been formed to investigate this incident. Today, the team has left Bhubaneswar for an investigation, and strict action will be taken based on the findings of that team. I went to AIIMS. I am going to AIIMS today also. We are closely looking at how the girl’s health can be improved, and how she can recover. The government will bear the entire expense. And today, the Health Minister is also going with us. We will also talk to her parents today,” he told ANI.The 20 year old girl set herself ablaze near the main gate of the college during a peaceful protest that had been going on since July 1 demanding action against the head of the education department (HoD). Students and friends of the girl claimed she had previously filed complaints accusing the HoD of mental harassment, misbehaviour and threats to manipulate her academic performance by lowering her internal marks unless she gave in to his sexual demands.The minister described the incident as “unfortunate” and confirmed that the college’s HoD and Principal have been suspended, while the accused teacher is in police custody.“This is a very unfortunate case, and we are dealing with it in a very sensitive manner. First of all, the head of the department and the principal have been suspended, and the accused has been taken into police custody,” he further said.On Saturday, the Odisha Higher Education Department established a committee to investigate harassment allegations against Samira Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor at college, following the student’s self-immolation attempt.Balasore SP Raj Prasad confirmed the arrest of the accused, stating that initial evidence supports the case. “In the case of a female student who attempted self-immolation, prima facie evidence has been established against a teacher. He has been arrested and forwarded to the court. This student had lodged a complaint with the Internal Compliance Committee on June 30th,” he said.“We are enquiring about the findings of their report. Whoever is found guilty, accountability will be fixed for them,” he added.The Higher Education Department subsequently suspended both the Assistant Professor and the Principal following the incident.
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