College Student Dies After Suicide Attempt Over Alleged Blackmail in Ganjam

Berhampur: An undergraduate student died after battling for nearly five days following a suicide attempt, allegedly triggered by blackmail, in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

The deceased, a Plus Three student of Niranjan Women’s College, Aska, was the only daughter of Ramakanta Rana from Betanai village.

Preliminary reports suggest that she had been in a relationship for the past three years with a youth from Shalabana village under Kodala police limits.

Family members alleged that the relationship had recently turned sour. The situation reportedly escalated when the student asked the youth to marry her. Though he initially agreed, he later allegedly began blackmailing her and threatened to make her private photos viral on social media. The continued harassment is believed to have caused severe mental distress.

Unable to cope with the situation, the student allegedly attempted suicide by pouring kerosene on herself at her residence. Hearing her screams, family members and neighbours rushed her to Aska hospital. She was later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after her condition worsened.

Despite undergoing treatment for several days, she succumbed to her injuries.

Police have arrested the accused youth and forwarded him to court. Further investigation into the case is underway.