Odisha: Utkal University Associate Professor Suspended For Molesting Girl Student

Bhubaneswar: An associate professor of Utkal University in Odisha capital was suspended on Wednesday for allegedly molesting a girl student.

The action against the associate professor in the Economics department was taken on the basis of a probe report submitted by an internal complaints committee of the university to the vice-chancellor.

Sources said the accused associate professor has been asked by the authorities not to leave the headquarters without the permission of the vice-chancellor.

As per the allegation made by the postgraduate student, she had gone to the chamber of the associate professor on August 16 to bring some books when the accused harassed her sexually. He also warned her not to disclose the incident to anyone, she claimed.

The victim had filed a written complaint with the Sexual Harassment Cell of the university, but no action was taken initially. Subsequently, the internal complaints committee was asked to conduct a probe into the allegation and submit its report to the VC.

Notably, a rights activist has also moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the incident seeking action.