Berhampur: An undergraduate student died after battling for nearly five days following a suicide attempt over alleged blackmail in Odisha's Ganjam district. The girl, a Plus Three student at Niranjan Women’s College Aska, was identified as the only daughter of one Ramakanta Rana from Betanai village

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

Accused boy was threatening to leak private pictures

Family members alleged that the relationship had recently turned sour. The situation reportedly escalated when the student asked the boy to marry her, to which he initially agreed. However, he later allegedly began blackmailing her, threatening to make private photos viral on social media. The continuous harassment is believed to have left the student mentally distressed.

Distressed by the situation, the student allegedly attempted suicide by pouring kerosene on herself at her home. Hearing her screams, family members and neighbors rushed to her rescue and shifted her to Aska hospital. She was later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur when her condition became critical. 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.

Also read: Class VII Student Dies by Suicide After Harassment at School in Odisha's Cuttack