Rourkela: Under Secretary of the Human Resources Development Ministry, Rajesh Singh Solanki reached the National Institute of Technology (NIT) – Rourkela Friday and conducted a probe into the alleged sexual harassment case.
Solanki interacted with NIT director Prof Sunil Kumar Sarangi, fact-finding committee members, students and the security supervisor and discussed about the alleged involvement of chief security officer Balaram Champatiray in sexual harassment of woman security guards of the institution. He also recorded their statements at a closed door meeting in the institute’s board room.
A delegation of students met Solanki and presented a written document regarding Champatiray’s harassments. They also handed over some video clips of Champatiray’s sexual involvement with the lady security guards.
The fact-finding committee also submitted its report to Solanki.
A number of tribal women and other women activists of the region tried to force into the board room when Solanki was discussing the issue with several groups. They alleged that even though a number of allegations of sexual harassment were surfaced in the premier institution earlier, the authorities always tried to cover up the matter.
They submitted him a memorandum and demanded that stringent measures be taken against those who were involved in such cases. They also sought action against the university officials were tried to protect the position of Champatiray.
Solanki said he would submit the reports to the Ministry Saturday or Sunday.
The students had started a protest May 25 on the campus alleging that Champatiray had been sexually exploiting women security guards.
They withdrew their nine-day long protest after the institute’s director assured them of conceding their demands regarding action against Champatiray.
In another development, a special team of police had conducted a raid on the house of Champatiray and seized a few bottles of liquor. Champatiray had fled the scene during the raid. PNN
