An 18-year-old girl in Odisha’s Kendrapara district allegedly died by suicide after being improperly frisked by a male teacher before her exam. Her mother filed a police complaint, claiming the incident occurred on February 19 at Pattamundai College, where guidelines mandate female staff should frisk female students. The student reportedly took her life on February 24 due to distress from the harassment. Police have launched an investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage, while the college principal denied the allegations, asserting that female staff conduct the frisking. Legal action will follow if evidence supports the complaint.
Kendrapara:
A girl student aged 18 from Kendrapara district in Odisha reportedly took her own life after an incident where a male teacher allegedly “frisked her inappropriately” prior to entering an examination hall, according to police reports on Sunday.
The student’s mother filed a police complaint on Saturday, claiming that her daughter was “inappropriately frisked by a male teacher” on February 19 during the ongoing exams organized by the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), Odisha at Pattamundai College, as stated by a senior officer.
It was reported that instead of female teachers, male staff frisked the girl students, which contravenes the CHSE guidelines, noted inspector-in-charge Dheeraj Lenka of Pattamundai Rural Police Station, referencing the FIR details.
“The class 12 student took her life on February 24 due to the distress caused by the harassment,” according to the complainant.
“The complaint was filed yesterday. We have initiated an investigation and are currently reviewing the CCTV footage to determine the events that transpired. If any evidence is uncovered, appropriate legal action will be taken against the individuals involved,” Lenka stated.
However, the college authorities refuted the claims.
“Female staff members thoroughly frisk girl students before they are permitted to enter the exam halls. The allegation of a male teacher improperly frisking a student is false,” asserted Pattamundai College Principal Dilip Kumar Bhuyan.
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