Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has initiated an inquiry into serious allegations of physical, mental, and sexual harassment levelled by visually-impaired hostel inmates against the superintendent of Bhima Bhoi Government High School for the Blind in Bhubaneswar.
OSCPCR chairperson Babita Patro visited the school on Friday to personally investigate the complaints.
According to the students, hostel superintendent Chandrasekhar Pradhan physically assaulted them during a prayer session on July 12 while allegedly in a drunken state. Several female students further accused him of harassment and inappropriate behaviour. They approached the child rights body after complaints raised with the school administration earlier went unaddressed.
Patro interacted with the affected students, the headmistress, staff, and the accused superintendent during her on-site visit. She has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the headmistress, the district education officer, and the district social security officer under Section 13(1)(j) of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, which addresses violations of child rights, non-implementation of protective laws, and non-compliance with welfare guidelines.
The school administration has reportedly suspended the hostel superintendent and taken initial administrative steps, with further action to follow based on the inquiry’s outcome. Headmistress Kalashri Das emphasised that the institution treats students with parental care and noted that the OSCPCR probe would guide next steps.
Patro stated that appropriate measures would be decided after reviewing her visit report and the submitted ATRs.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and protection of vulnerable children in state-run residential facilities for the visually impaired, highlighting the need for robust oversight in such institutions. The commission is expected to take decisive action to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.