In Sambalpur, two senior officials from the education department and a teacher were arrested in Bargarh district for allegedly sexually harassing a woman teacher. Bargarh SP Prahlad Sahai Meena stated that the arrests were made following a complaint that was forwarded by the district administration after an internal inquiry conducted by the department’s internal complaints committee (ICC).
The ICC investigated the allegations and filed a complaint with the police on Wednesday. After questioning the suspects on the same day, they were arrested on Thursday. The individuals identified as district education officer (DEO) Jyotikant Sahu, block education officer (BEO) Surendra Sahu, and physical education teacher Sameer Panigrahi, have varying localities of residence, with the DEO hailing from Jharsuguda district while the others are from Bargarh.
Sources indicate that the complainant initially approached the district collector’s grievance cell earlier this month, alleging repeated sexual misconduct and harassment by the three individuals. The complaint detailed that the accused reportedly sent obscene messages at different times and exhibited inappropriate behavior and harassment in the workplace.
In response, the ICC initiated an investigation, recording statements from several department personnel and reviewing text messages and call records associated with the accused. Upon discovering prima facie evidence, the administration referred the case to the police.
Following the complaint, the police registered a case and commenced an investigation, forming a three-member team to look into the allegations. The SP mentioned that police have also requested all findings from the ICC.
The accused have been charged under various provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, as well as Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 79 (insult to the modesty of a woman), 308 (extortion), 201 (public servant framing incorrect document), and 351(2)/3(5) (criminal intimidation) of the BNS. They were subsequently presented in court, where they were remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is ongoing.
