Bhubaneswar college student alleges rape by teacher, Govt orders thorough probe

A girl student of Jayadev College of Education & Technology at Naharkanta in Bhubaneswar was allegedly raped and sexually harassed by a reader of the institution.

The girl student through her representation on July 25, 2022 levelled charges of sexual harassment and rape against Pramod Ranjan Dash, reader in Physics and NCC Officer (Naval Wing). 

The Internal Complaints Committee constituted at the college level immediately took up the matter and conducted a preliminary enquiry. 

“However, this needs to be thoroughly enquired into as per the procedure laid down in Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013,” the Higher Education department wrote to the Principal of Jayadev College. 

“In view of the above, you are requested to place this complaint before the Local Complaints Committee of the District constituted under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 for enquiry and necessary action,” Higher Education Department additional secretary Surendra Kumar Panda wrote.

It is learnt that the Internal Committee of the College did not find any concrete evidence of the allegations brought by the girl student. 

However, the Higher Education Department has transferred the reader in question to Kuchinda in Sambalpur district. 

The reaction of the College authorities and the accused could not be obtained.