Another Professor At NIT-R In Odisha Accused Of Sexual Harassment

Rourkela: Another sexual harassment case has rocked the National Institute of Technology-Rourkela (NIT-R).

A second-year post-graduate (PG) girl student has levelled sexual harassment charges against a Professor, TNIE reported.

Following the complaint, the 42-year-old Professor, who is an Associate Dean, has been banned from entering the academic area and leaving the headquarters. The Professor, who is also a former member of the institute’s Board of Governors, has been given forced leave till the completion of inquiry by the institute’s internal complaints committee (ICC), the TNIE report said.

According to the report, after the woman broke up with her boyfriend, the Professor allegedly called her to his residence for counselling. At his residence, he allegedly made inappropriate advances on her.

In a separate complaint, the woman’s boyfriend has also blamed the Professor for their relationship breaking down.

In April, another Professor at the NIT-R was accused by a PhD student of sexual harassment.

The victim alleged that the Professor asked her to accompany him to Jharsuguda on research work. The accused allegedly took her to a “restaurant for having food” but on reaching the place, the victim was shocked to find out that it was a hotel room booked in advance by the Professor, the student alleged, accusing him of making sexual advances.

In May 2016, a video of the then security officer allegedly caught in a compromising position with a woman guard at the institute had gone viral. He was arrested on rape charge.

In October 2016, a BTech student at the NIT-R levelled sexual harassment charges against a clerk in the security department.

Before that in July 2013, an MTech student had accused her project guide of calling her to his office and making sexual advances.

All these cases were investigated by the ICC of the institute but the findings were never made public.