This is the third such case in Odisha in less than a month, raising serious questions about the state’s handling of harassment complaints and mental health support.
BY PC Bureau
August 6, 2025: A 20-year-old college student died by self-immolation at her home in Kathiapada village under Pattamundai (Rural) police station limits in Odisha’s Kendrapara district on Wednesday morning. This marks the third such incident in the state within a month, triggering renewed outrage over institutional inaction and lack of mental health support for young women.
According to police sources, the young woman allegedly set herself on fire after pouring an inflammable substance over her body while alone at home. Her father alleged she was being blackmailed by a man she had been in a relationship with, and that the emotional trauma pushed her to take the extreme step.
“She had lodged a harassment complaint six months ago, but no action was taken. The police simply told her to block his number,” the grieving father told reporters.
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Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria visited the site and confirmed the suicide claim. “I have seen the body. Her father stated she died by suicide. The matter is under investigation,” he said. Police have launched a probe into the blackmail allegations and are also reviewing their response to the earlier complaint.
A final year Plus-III student died in a fire at her home in Kathiapada village under Pattamundai block of Kendrapara district Wednesday under mysterious circumstances.#FireTragedy #Kendrapara #Odisha pic.twitter.com/mesELHAk5F
— Orissa POST Live (@OrissaPOSTLive) August 6, 2025
This is the third reported case of self-immolation by a young woman in Odisha in recent weeks. On July 12, a 20-year-old student from FM College in Balasore set herself ablaze on campus and died two days later at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. On August 2, a 15-year-old girl from Balanga in Puri district succumbed to burn injuries in a similar incident.
The disturbing pattern has sparked urgent questions about the state’s handling of harassment cases and the glaring gaps in psychological support systems for women facing trauma.
Forensic teams are collecting evidence and recording witness statements to determine the full circumstances behind the Kendrapara incident. The accused has not yet been detained.
Timeline of Relevant Incidents:
July 12, 2025 – Balasore: A 20-year-old female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore died by self-immolation on campus, succumbing to injuries on July 14, 2025, at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. This was due to alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member.
August 2, 2025 – Puri: A 15-year-old girl from the Balanga area of Puri district died from burn injuries. The cause is not explicitly detailed as self-immolation in the provided text, but it is noted as a case involving burn injuries, suggesting a possible suicide or related incident.
August 6, 2025 – Kendrapara: A 20-year-old female college student in Kathiapada village, Kendrapara district, allegedly died by self-immolation, reportedly due to blackmail by her boyfriend
