School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash on Thursday said the sexual harassment allegation by a woman Sanskrit teacher of Baleswar district’s Baliapal-based Jathia Upper Primary High School against the Headmaster is baseless and fabricated.
Dash said, “As per the inquiry report, the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by the woman teacher against Headmaster Ratikanta Jena of the school were false and fabricated.” The charges levelled against the Headmaster are reported to have been a result of past enmity between both. The Assistant Headmaster of the school was also involved in the unhealthy rivalry in the school that ultimately turned ugly. The woman had alleged that the Headmaster was sexually harassing her for the last one year. She alleged that Jena used to call her frequently and took her pictures without her consent. She also said that Jena used to threaten her of dire consequences when she opposed his advances.
She further alleged that even though she brought the matter to the notice of the District Education Officer (DEO) and the Collector seeking help, they turned a deaf ear to her complaints. On the other hand, Jena had refuted the allegation terming it as false and baseless.