Principal ‘sexually abuses’ Class 10 student in Odisha’s Bargarh, arrested

A private college principal and science teacher in Bargarh district was arrested on Sunday after the family of a Class 10 student allegedly accused him of sexually abusing the minor boy under the pretext of providing tuition. According to the family’s complaint, the accused, identified as Debadatta Pradhan, allegedly took the student from the college’s coaching centre to Bargarh on the pretext of attending a conference. He subsequently booked a room at a hotel in the town and allegedly took the minor student there. The family alleged that Pradhan had told them that he needed to stay overnight to teach the student. However, the student reportedly managed to secretly send a message to his family, informing them of the situation. After receiving the message, the family contacted the local police and, with their assistance, rescued the student from the hotel. Following the complaint, Town police arrested Pradhan, who is the principal as well as a science teacher at the private college in Bargarh town. Police have launched an investigation into the allegations. The student’s family has demanded stringent action against the accused. No official reaction from the police regarding the incident was available at the time of reporting. “Yesterday, my younger brother’s son had gone to the coaching centre. The science teacher of the coaching centre told the child to go to Bargarh town for a conference. Since he said it was based on the CBSE pattern, we also agreed and let the child go,” the victim’s paternal uncle said. “The accused took the child to a coaching centre in Bargarh, conducted some classes there, and then took the child to Room No. 309 in a hotel, which he had already booked,” the elderly man stated. “There, he (Debadatta) subjected the child to immoral harassment, sexual abuse, and even tried to choke his throat. The minor managed to send a text message to my son. Because of this, we rushed to the spot. On the way, we met a PCR patrolling van and sought their help. The police successfully rescued the child,” the minor’s relative added.