The Assistant Professor of Odisha University of Agricultural Technology’s (OUAT) Basic Science College, who was accused of sexual harassment by seven of his male students, has been suspended. Even though the charge against him was not proved, a three-member departmental investigation committee found sufficient evidence against him of facilitating cheating in examinations and beating up students for which he was suspended. The university would lodge an FIR with the police to investigate the sexual harassment angle.
OUAT Vice-Chancellor Manoranjan Kar said the professor has been put under suspension. The investigation couldn’t establish the sexual harassment allegation. This case would be handed over to the police for further investigation. The probe committee had been formed by the Vice Chancellor to go into the sodomy allegation brought by seven students against the Chemistry professor named Pradeep Jena of on April 8. Commissioner of Police RP Sharma said that if the OUAT authorities lodge an FIR, police would investigate the case.