SCB Prof suspended on Sexual Harassment Charges

In a major development, Prof. Dr Laxmidar Das, Anesthesia office head of SCB medical college & Hospital, Cuttack was put under suspension on sexually harassing a post-graduate girl student, after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved the suspension order on Monday.

Prof. Das was earlier sent to jail as his bail plea was rejected by a court in Cuttack on Friday. He was arrested by the Mangalabag police following a written complaint by a female student of PG department.

The complainant hailing from Puducherry had alleged that Prof. Das had called her to the department on February 2 and molested her. She also alleged that the professor had been making frequent sexual advances to have physical relationship with him since September last year.

The police had registered the case under section 354 (A) (sexual harassment) and 354 D (stalking). Sources said, the victim is the daughter of a senior DMK leader and a former Minister of Puducherry.