Woman alleges harassment by Blood Bank director

Cuttack: The Mangalabag police today began an investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment made by a woman employee of the Central Red Cross Blood Bank against the director.

In her complaint, she said the director Benudhar Satpathy used to ask her to stay at the Blood Bank beyond duty hours.

“Besides, he frequently calls me when alone in his chamber and holds my hand. It is not possible for me to give details about his other unsavoury activities,” she told media persons later.

Asked about the incident, Satpathy said he rarely allows any woman employee into his chamber alone.

Replying to the allegations, he said he has no link with this woman as she is not a core staff of the Blood Bank.

“The Blood Bank had hired this woman through its approved agency www.odishajobs.com to work as a data entry operator. She has been working here for a long time. The fact remains that I had served her two notices as she was not doing her job sincerely. But as she did not mend her ways, I had asked the approved agency to replace her with another person who has recently joined the duty. This could be the reason for which she has been trying to malign me,” Satpathy said.