New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has swiftly moved to constitute a high-powered Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the tragic suicide of a female student at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, Odisha. The move comes amidst media reports suggesting the self-immolation was allegedly due to harassment by a faculty member.
The committee, established via an official order dated July 15, 2025, is tasked with thoroughly examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, assessing the college’s compliance with regulatory provisions, and crucially, recommending measures to prevent such unfortunate events in the future.
Committee Composition:
The four-member committee comprises distinguished academics and administrators:
- Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, Professor at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, will serve as the Chairperson.
- Prof. Sushma Yadav, Former Commission Member of UGC, joins as a Member.
- Dr. Neerja Gupta, Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is also a Member.
- Dr. Ashima Mangla, Joint Secretary, UGC, will act as the Coordinating Officer.
Terms of Reference:
The committee’s mandate is comprehensive, including:
- Circumstance Examination: Investigating the immediate circumstances of the incident, including the effectiveness of existing institutional policies, grievance redressal mechanisms, anti-harassment measures, and student support systems.
- Regulatory Compliance: Assessing the institution’s adherence to the UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015, and other relevant UGC guidelines.
- On-site Verification: Conducting an on-site assessment to verify the practical implementation of safety and well-being policies for female students, moving beyond mere documented compliance.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Interacting with students, faculty, administrators, and support staff to understand the institutional culture, student experiences, and challenges.
- Preventive Measures: Proposing concrete recommendations for preventing similar incidents.
The UGC has given the committee a strict deadline, requiring them to submit a detailed report with their findings and recommendations within seven days from the issue of the order.
The establishment of this committee underscores the UGC’s commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive academic environment for students across the country and addressing serious allegations of harassment.