JAJPUR: A 21-year-old male student of a private degree college has accused the head of Political Science department of repeated sexual harassment, prompting the authorities of the education institution to initiate an inquiry into the matter.
In a complaint submitted to the principal of Chitalo Degree College on Saturday, the third-year Political Science student alleged that the HoD was repeatedly engaging in inappropriate behaviour and seeking sexual favours in exchange for better academic grades.
The student further claimed that the teacher had previously invited him to his residence on multiple occasions and threatened to fail him in the subject if he refused to comply. Recently on July 16, the HoD reportedly threatened to fail him in the upcoming examinations unless he yielded to his demand, the complainant said.
Basing on the complaint, the college formed a five-member internal inquiry committee and asked the panel to submit its report by Monday. The HoD is reportedly untraceable since the last two days.
College principal Prakash Kumar Muduli said, “We have constituted an internal committee to look into the matter and asked its members to submit their findings at the earliest. The local police are also aware of the situation.”
Jajpur sub-collector Tapas Ranjan Dehury, who is also the president of the college’s governing body, visited the educational institution on Saturday and held discussions with the principal and faculty members to gather information about the allegations.
Jajpur SDPO PK Majhi said police have also launched an investigation into the allegations.
Notably, this is not the first time the accused teacher has faced such allegations. In 2021, he was arrested on charges of sexually harassing male students. He was later released on bail and reinstated in his academic position.