An Assistant Professor at Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, has been arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting a B.Ed second-year student under false promises of marriage.
The accused, Gopikanta Suna, who serves in the Education Department of GMU, was taken into custody by the Women’s Police Station and produced before the court following a formal complaint filed by the student.
According to sources, the student had lodged a complaint with the university’s grievance cell and the Vice-Chancellor nearly four months ago. Despite the gravity of the allegations, no action was taken at the time, raising serious questions about the university’s internal redressal mechanisms and administrative accountability.
The student, a resident of a neighbouring district, had been living in rented accommodation in the Anguliapada area while pursuing her studies. She alleged that the professor initiated contact in 2023, repeatedly proposed romantic involvement, and later promised marriage. When she resisted, she was subjected to mental and physical harassment. Eventually, the professor reneged on his promise, prompting the student to file a formal FIR under IPC Section 56.25.
The arrest comes in the wake of another high-profile student suicide case at Fakir Mohan University, which had already stirred public outrage across Odisha. The delayed response from GM University has now intensified scrutiny on how educational institutions handle cases of harassment and abuse. The university has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
