The School and Mass Education Department has suspended Bargarh District Education Officer (DEO) Jyotikanta Sahu and Block Education Officer (BEO) Surendra Sahu in connection with a sexual harassment case involving a woman CRCC-level employee, along with allegations of fund misappropriation in Bargarh, Odisha.

The two officials were suspended on May 16, weeks after they were arrested by police on April 30 in connection with the case.

According to reports, the case first came to light after the woman employee approached the district administration with allegations of workplace sexual harassment. Following a preliminary inquiry, a formal complaint was filed, and police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.

DEO, BEO among three arrested

Bargarh Police arrested DEO Jyotikanta Sahu, BEO Surendra Sahu, and PET teacher Sameer Panigrahi on April 30 following allegations of harassment and financial irregularities.

Investigators have alleged that the accused subjected the complainant to repeated harassment and sent obscene messages. During the probe, police reportedly seized mobile phones and several documents linked to the accused officials.

Earlier, the district administration had suspended PET teacher Sameer Panigrahi soon after the allegations surfaced. The District Collector also recommended action against the DEO and BEO to the State Government based on preliminary findings in the case.

School and Mass Education Department takes action

Acting on the recommendation and after reviewing the allegations, the School and Mass Education Department suspended both the DEO and BEO on May 16.

The incident has triggered widespread discussion within the education department following allegations of workplace harassment against senior officials.

Also Read: Woman attempts self-immolation outside Lok Seva Bhavan, alleges police harassment

Meanwhile, the police investigation into the case, including the alleged fund misappropriation angle, is still underway. Authorities are also examining digital evidence and departmental records linked to the accused officials.