Odisha NIT official’s sexual exploits caught on video; students demand dismissal

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rourkela, May 25:

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus in Odisha’s Steel City- Rourkela today witnessed student unrest following coming to light of alleged sexual exploitation of a female security officer by the institution’s chief security officer.

Students who claimed to have the video footage of the alleged sexual exploitation of a woman security officer by chief security officer Balaram Champatiray met NIT Rourkela director Sunil Kumar Sarangi.

“We have strong videographic evidence of NIT security officer Champatiray sexually exploiting his female subordinates whom he is supposed to protect. That too inside NIT premises,” said a NIT student.

Students who are sitting on a dharna inside the campus in protest shouted slogans and demanded dismissal of Champatiray.

“We are students. How are we going to feel secure in such circumstances? How can he dare to do that? Certainly he has the support of someone, who is quite powerful. With his dismissal at least those behind him will be scared to make similar attempts on girl students like us,” said a female student who is on dharna.

The students said they would continue with their dharna till action is taken against the erring chief security officer.

NIT Rourkela director Sunil Kumar Sarangi said a committee will be formed to inquire into the allegations.

“A committee has to reach out to them and inquire if they had any such grievance to narrate. Only then will they reveal if they have been harassed. A fact finding committee can only find out what has really happened,” said Sarangi in his reactions on the allegations.

On the other hand, chief security officer Champatiray has termed the allegations as baseless.

“I haven’t done anything to anyone either by using force or with consent. The allegations are absolutely baseless,” said Champatiray in his defence.