Balasore: A panel formed by the University Grants Commission initiated probe into death of Soumyashree Bisi, a student of Fakir Mohan (FM) College in Balasore district of Odisha. 

The 4-member committee headed by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Professor and UGC member Raj Kumar Mittal reportedly held discussion with acting Principal Prof Firoz Padhi, Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) members and students of the FM Autonomous College today to examine circumstances that forced the 20-year-old student to set herself on fire on premises of the college on July 12. 

The panel also include former UGC member Sushma Yadav, former Gujarat University vice chancellor Neerja Gupta and UGC Joint Secretary Ashima Mangla as other members.

The UGC formed the panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including availability and effectiveness of factors such as institutional policies, grievance redressal mechanism, anti-harassment measures adopted and student support systems. 

Soumyashree, a 2nd year Integrated B.Ed student of FM College, had attempted self-immolation outside principal's chamber on July 12 alleging harassment by her HoD Samira Kumar Sahu. She was declared clinically dead at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar three days after the incident. 

The incident triggered widespread protests by different organisations and political parties raising women's safety at educational institutions and demanding justice for the deceased student.