Sambalpur University assistant professor suspended over alleged harassment

An assistant professor of Sambalpur University was suspended by the Registrar of the varsity over allegations of mental and physical harassment brought by a female student.

Action was taken against the accused Assistant Professor of the Odia department, Shukamuni Meher following a written complaint submitted by the complainant alleging mental and physical harassment by Meher.

“The University Administration received a written complaint from a female student of the Odia department last evening. She had alleged that an Assistant Professor in her department harassed her. Taking the matter seriously, we immediately suspended the assistant professor,” said University Registrar, Nruparaj Sahu.

“The issue will be sent to the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC). They will investigate the case and as per the investigation report, further action will be taken,” he said.

Earlier in August, a female Assistant Professor at the Political Science Department of Sambalpur University had brought serious allegations of harassment against one of her colleagues.

In her complaint, she alleged that a male assistant professor, who works in the same Political Science department of the University, had been harassing her in an inebriated condition for a few months. The University officials constituted a committee and assured of appropriate action after a detailed probe.