Orissa High Court Seeks State's Response To PIL Seeking SIT Probe Into Student Attempting Self-Immolation Before Principal's Office Over Alleged Sexual Harassment

The Orissa High Court has sought a progress report from the State Government in its ongoing investigation the case pertaining to Self-Immolation by student in front of Principal's office over alleged sexual harassment.

The Court was considering a Public Interest Litigation into the incident which it claimed has "shocked the conscience of the country."

The division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M R Pathak observed, "The State shall submit the progress having made in the investigation in the sealed cover on the next date, when the matter would be listed. Apart from the State and University Grants Commission (UGC), there is no representation on behalf of the opposite parties, we, therefore, direct the petitioner to take notice upon them."

The Petitioner appeared in-person while the Respondent was represented by Advocate General Pitambar Acharya.

The Petition stated that the unfortunate incident has opened a discourse on several aspects including the safety and security, providing proper mechanisms and the redressal of the grievance in a proper and fair manner.

Stating that the victim raised a serious issue of sexual harassment and the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) after making an inquiry, submitted the report, but she immolated herself perceiving that the proper justice has not been extended to her, the Petitioner emphasized that such incident has shattered the emotions of the citizenry and the demonstrations were made for justice to be extended to her.

It thus sought constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to be headed by a responsible officer of repute, so that a proper and fair investigation can be ensured obviously in pursuit of rendering justice to the said victim.

Advocate General informed the Court that the State has taken such issues seriously and, in fact, have constituted a special investigating team to be monitored by high ranking police officials, one of whom is a lady officer and the investigation is proceeding at a considerable pace.

The Court observed that it is really disturbing that the students, who got admission in a reputed college would be subjected to any sexual harassment and the alacrity is not shown in addressing the grievance in a proper manner

"A right to life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India includes the right to live with dignity. The students are not foreign to such fundamental rights being a citizen of the country and, therefore, once a serious allegation is made, it is a duty of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to evaluate such complaint in a more pragmatic way", it stated.

While refusing to issue the required direction in background of an SIT already being constituted by the State, the Court stated that it doesn't absolve its duty to see that the investigation is being done in a rightful manner and may on a periodical basis seek the progress, which have been made.

The matter has been listed for August 12, 2025.

Cause Title: Shivsankar Mohanty vs. State of Odisha and others

Appearances:

Petitioner- In-Person

Respondent- Advocate General Pitambar Achary, Additional Government Advocate Suman Pattanayak, Standing Counsel T.K. Satapathy

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