A fresh controversy has erupted at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, raising serious concerns over student safety and faculty conduct. A senior professor from the Odia department has been accused of inappropriate behavior and harassment by multiple students.
Allegations of Inappropriate Advances
According to complaints, the Head of the Odia Department, Santosh Kumar Nayak, allegedly made romantic advances towards a female student. Earlier, an anonymous complaint had been submitted to the Regional Director, prompting an internal inquiry.
ICC Launches Investigation, Professor Removed as HOD
Following the allegations, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) initiated an investigation into the matter. As a precautionary measure, the accused professor has been removed from his position as Head of Department while the inquiry is ongoing.
Students Allege Evidence Tampering
In a significant development, students have now accused the professor of attempting to delete WhatsApp chat evidence. It is alleged that multiple students were pressured and intimidated into deleting messages from their phones that could serve as proof of misconduct.
Several screenshots of alleged WhatsApp conversations have also surfaced on social media, further intensifying the controversy.
Multiple Complaints Filed by Students
At least nine students from the department have submitted written complaints to the ICC. They have accused the professor of:
- Sending inappropriate messages to multiple female students
- Mentally and physically harassing students
- Forcing students to purchase his personal books
- Threatening to fail or give backlogs to those who oppose him
Students have also alleged that instead of teaching, the professor often made obscene remarks during class hours.
Fear and Intimidation Inside Campus
Complainants claim that students who resisted or spoke against such behavior were deliberately targeted and threatened academically. The situation has created an atmosphere of fear within the department.
College Administration Under Fire
When questioned, the college principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College reportedly avoided responding to media queries, drawing criticism for lack of transparency.
Safety Concerns Resurface
This incident comes at a time when the memory of a previous student suicide case at FM College is still fresh. The emergence of another serious allegation has once again raised pressing questions about student safety and institutional accountability.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, students are demanding strict action against the accused and assurance that their academic future will not be affected. The case has sparked widespread concern, highlighting the urgent need for stronger safeguards and accountability mechanisms within educational institutions.