A 20-year-old Odisha college student, who set herself ablaze following alleged sexual harassment by a professor of her college, died of injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

The victim, the second-year Integrated B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore suffered 95% burns and fought for her life for three days, but in vain.

Here’s a timeline of events that followed

• A woman college student in Odisha set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college’s Head of Department. As per reports, despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident.

• On July 12, the 20-year-old girl, who was pursuing the BEd programme, had set her on fire after pouring petrol on her outside office of principal during a student protest over non-redressal of grievance against the teacher. She took this step in protest against official inaction regarding her allegations of sexual harassment by a professor at her college.

• Following this, the woman was admitted to Balasore district hospital but later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar as she suffered 95% burns, stated the hospital reports.

• Amid outrage over the incident, the principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Dillip Kumar Ghosh, was arrested and a local court sent him to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the case.

• Meanwhile, amid the furore, the victim succumbed to her injuries late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. She was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14, as per medical bulletin issued by AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning.

• Amid widespread outrage over the college administration’s alleged inaction, which the student said drove her to take the extreme step, ruling BJP faced heat from opposition parties, who held protests in Bhubaneswar and Balasore and blamed the government for failing to ensure women’s safety in the state.

• A political uproar ensued on campus of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar soon after the news of death broke. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and several BJP MLAs reached AIIMS, Bhubaneswar campus to pay their last respect.

• The death had already triggered a massive political controversy with both BJD and Congress demanding judicial inquiry. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik had said the girl was denied justice at every level.

• The National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women have taken cognisance of the matter. Crime Against Women and Children Wing of Odisha’s Crime Branch of Police is conducting separate investigation into the matter.

• The girl had approached every possible authority for redressal of her grievance. However, as the concrete assurance eluded, she had nothing option, but to end her life, said family members.

(Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts are encouraged to seek help and counselling by calling the helpline numbers here)