Cuttack,: At a time when Odisha is already reeling from shocking incidents of sexual harassment involving female students, another disturbing allegation has surfaced—this time from Sri Sri Dhavaleswar College in Athagarh, Cuttack district.
A female lecturer from the institution has brought serious allegations of sexual harassment against the college principal, Ashok Kumar Samantray. In a written complaint to the Director General of Police (DGP), the lecturer claimed that the principal behaved inappropriately and attempted to touch her in an indecent manner.
According to the lecturer, when she protested the misconduct, the principal humiliated her by making casteist remarks and tried to intimidate her into silence. The victim has also filed an official police complaint at Gurudijhatia Police Station in Athagarh, prompting the police to register a case and begin an investigation.
Shockingly, the lecturer further alleged that after the complaint was filed, the principal threatened to hire goons to sexually assault her as an act of revenge. Fearing for her safety and seeking justice, she has once again appealed to the DGP through a formal letter.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of not just students, but also female staff in educational institutions. Following the recent Fakir Mohan College incident, this case adds to the growing list of harassment complaints in Odisha’s academic institutions.
The authorities are under pressure to act swiftly and impartially, as public outrage continues to mount over increasing reports of sexual harassment and administrative silence within educational campuses.
