University professor suspended in sexual harassment case

Berhampur, Apr 20 (UNI) A professor of Botany Department in Berhampur University has been suspended for alleged eveteasing and attempt to sexual harassment of a girl student.

The decision to suspend Prof AshokePanigrahi was taken after a three-member fact-finding committee, consisting of Prof Usha Rani Acharya of Zoology Department of the University and two social activists Yasodhara Satpathy and Gita Bisoi, submitted it's report to the Syndicate yesterday.

The girl, student of third semester of Biotechnology, had alleged that Prof Panigrahi intentionally failed her in the Third Semester Examination of Biotechnology after the attempt to sexual harassment.

University Vice-Chancellor Prof Bijoy Kumar Sahu had to constitute the fact-finding committee after the student registered serious allegations against Prof Panigrahi before him on April 9.

The fact-finding committee which interrogated both the student and the professor besides others, recommended disciplinary action against Prof Panigrahi.

The committee found irregularities in revaluation of the examination papers of the student.

The Syndicate, however, had decided to promote the victim in the Third Semester Examination of Biotechnology.

When contacted, the Vice-Chancellor said he would inform the matter to the Chancellor immediately and the decision would be implemented within a week.

Meanwhile, State Mahila Commission chairperson Namita Panda had initiated steps to interrogate the student, the Professor and others on the allegations of sexual harassment.

UNI XC-DP SJC SP GC1815