Kendrapada: Jajpur administration on Thursday suspended a lecturer and principal of a college in the district following allegations of molestation and subsequent attempt to suppress the case.
The lecturer has been accused of molesting a 19-year-old student during a practical class on Jan 6. The principal faces charges for allegedly attempting to prevent the girl from filing a complaint. “Both officials have been suspended after a thorough inquiry,” said sub-collector (Jajpur) Anshuman Satapathy.
According to the FIR filed at Bari police station on Jan 15, the accused teacher allegedly touched the girl inappropriately when she was alone during a practical class. Police have booked the teacher under sections 74, 75, and 351 of the BNS, relating to assault, sexual harassment, and criminal intimidation.
“During investigation, we discovered that the principal tried to persuade the girl to withdraw her complaint, leading to additional charges against him,” said IIC, Bari police station, Jyotimayee Sethi. Both accused are on the run.
The girl has started an indefinite dharna outside the college demanding immediate arrests. Students and guardians have also blocked the main college road since Tuesday, calling for strict legal action. Police have increased security around the campus to prevent any untoward incident.