TV
Swami Arupananda Higher Secondary School of Education & Technology in Jagatsinghpur district faced scrutiny after the college principal received a notice on Monday over inaction on a sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member. The complaint, filed by a student, had reportedly been unresolved for over seven months.
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According to sources, the District Collector’s office issued a notice to the principal of the college in Jagatsinghpur district, following a complaint received through the public grievance portal regarding an unresolved case of alleged sexual harassment.
Taking action in connection with the matter, the principal Ramesh Sahu and accused lecturer Saswat Mohanty have been suspended from their services. The District Collector took action in response to the harassment case.
The female student had complained about the lecturer. The disciplinary action followed after the principal’s explanation report was found unsatisfactory. The suspension order was issued through the Sub-Collector concerned.
A written complaint, lodged by a female student of the educational institution in Kurtanga, accused a Lecturer of Mathematics of sexual misconduct. The faculty member was identified as Saswat Kumar Mohanty. Despite the allegation being more than seven months old, no formal action had been taken against the accused teacher until now.
The Collector's office has instructed the principal to submit an action-taken report (ATR) within three days. The delay in initiating disciplinary proceedings has raised serious concerns about the college administration’s handling of such sensitive issues.
“As per the grievance petition received through Janasunani portal bearing ticket ID No.-C337968, you are directed to submit a report immediately for further course of action at our end without fail,” a letter from the Collector written to the principal insisted.
Previously, the principal had claimed that the matter had been resolved internally, citing a compromise petition submitted by the student. He also stated that the college’s internal committee had convened and considered the case closed.
However, the lack of official action and transparency has prompted further investigation by the authorities concerned.
“As per the enquiry report submitted by the concerned cell, you confessed that the complainant girl student has been victimised. No doubt you have thrown your dignity into hell. Based on the report, the eyewitness, victim's opinion, you are the slur of the teachers’ community. An accused person has no right to beg apology as you have already been arrested by your own self by confessing your fault. Before doing such type of nasty deeds, you have to be conscious yourself what you are doing,” a show-cause notice previously issued to the lecturer by the college principal mentioned.
“Therefore, you are directed to explain within seven days why suitable action(s) will not be deemed proper against you,” the official communiqué read.
Reported By: Manas
