In a shocking incident from Odisha, a guest lecturer at a prominent state-run institution in Bhubaneswar has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a minor student and soliciting sexual favours in exchange for better academic grades. The swift action followed intense student protests and a road blockade demanding justice.
Lecturer Terminated After Student Protests
The accused, who had joined the college as a guest lecturer in June 2025, was first terminated from service hours before his arrest on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The decision came after enraged students staged demonstrations and blocked a road, calling for strict action against the teacher. They levelled serious allegations, claiming he had been harassing female students and explicitly demanding sexual favours as a quid pro quo for improved marks.
Arrest and Charges Under POCSO Act
Acting on a formal complaint filed by the college principal, the Odisha Police took the lecturer into custody. He has been booked under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Additionally, sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked against him, including:
- BNS Section 74 (Using criminal force on a woman)
- BNS Section 79 (Insulting the modesty of a woman)
- BNS Section 296 (Obscene acts and songs)
Officials clarified that the accused was appointed as a guest faculty member while the process for recruiting a regular teacher was still ongoing.
Committee Formed to Investigate Allegations
In response to the grave accusations, the Odisha Culture Department has constituted a three-member committee to conduct a thorough probe into the entire matter. A senior government official assured that students have been encouraged to come forward with any complaints or evidence. They can approach the internal complaint committee, the college principal, or the Culture Department directly, with a promise of a safe and fear-free environment for reporting.
The case has sent ripples through the educational community in Bhubaneswar, highlighting the critical need for robust mechanisms to prevent sexual harassment on campuses and protect students, especially minors, from predatory behaviour by those in positions of authority.
