Woman student alleges sexual harassment by assistant professor at Odisha’s Utkal University, accused suspended

“In pursuance of the order dated September 18 of the Vice Chancellor, Utkal University, which follows the recommendation of the Internal Complaint Committee probing the alleged harassment of a girl student, (the professor) is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect,” states an order issued by the registrar on Wednesday.

The committee, comprising teachers of the university and an external member having expertise in law, conducted several meetings and collected evidence before preparing the report. The committee, in its report, mentions prima facie evidence of molestation against the assistant professor, said a senior university official.

The suspended professor has been asked not to leave the premises without the permission of the Vice Chancellor.

In a complaint to the sexual harassment cell of the department, the woman alleged that around 2 pm on August 16, when she had gone to collect a book with the permission of the professor concerned, he allegedly molested her.

She alleged that the professor asked her to sit close to him and touched her inappropriately. When she protested “with all my effort”, he allegedly “held my waist tightly” and continued touching her. She claimed that when she managed to escape, “he pulled my legs”. She alleged that he told her, “If you liked this then come again. I will also help you academically. And if you didn’t like it then don’t come, but don’t disclose it to anyone.”

Stating that she was “mentally broken” after the incident, she stated that she has not spoken to anyone about it, not even to her parents since her mother is unwell. Citing the sensitivity of the case, she requested that the matter be handled with “utmost confidentiality and empathy” and assured to cooperate in the investigation process.

On September 17, Odisha governor Raghubar Das, who is the chancellor of the university, intervened in the matter, and his secretariat directed the vice-chancellor to submit a factual report and an action taken report in the matter.

Utkal University, Odisha’s first varsity, was established in August 1943 and started functioning from a single room of Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. Though the Utkal University Act, 1943 did not specify clearly the territorial jurisdiction of the University, it was amended in 1947 defining its territorial jurisdiction, which was subsequently extended to the entire Odisha in 1950. It offers courses in undergraduate, post graduate, pre-doctoral (M Phil) and doctoral (PhD) programmes.