Sub-inspector of schools Netrananda Dandasena in police custody. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 7: The school and mass education department today issued directions to all education officers at the district and block levels as well as district project coordinators to address sexual harassment complaints on priority basis and file a report within three days.

The initiative follows the death of Itishree Pradhan, a 27-year-old siksha sahayak in Rayagada, on November 1, five days after she was allegedly set on fire by an unidentified person for refusing to withdraw sexual abuse charges against a sub-inspector of schools. The prime accused, Netranand Dandasena has been arrested and dismissed from service.

Secretary, school and mass education department, Usha Padhee said bid to suppress or neglect complaints would be viewed seriously.

“Allegations of sexual harassment against any teacher or student in the school or hostel are grave issues that ought to be dealt with all seriousness and reported to the department,” she said.

In her letter to the education officers, she said that if the complainant was a teacher the report must be sent to the grievance redressal officer and in case of a student, the preliminary report has to be sent to the officer-in-charge of the helpline for monitoring and follow-up action.

“The officers must get the inquiry done through a woman officer not below the rank of a block education officer and action be taken promptly. The final action taken report should be sent within 30 days of the receipt of the complaint to the grievance redressal cell or school student helpline,” said the secretary.

The crime branch probing the teacher murder case conducted a lie-detection test on Dandasena at the forensic science laboratory in Rasulgarh. The test went for nearly six hours.

“He was asked around 100 questions by experts and he answered most of them. He cooperated fully,” said an official of the crime branch.

On the other hand, a five-member team of the forensic science department has gone to Rayagada to collect evidences against the accused. They will visit the hostel room of Tikiri Upper Primary School, where the teacher was set ablaze, for collection of possible clues.

A two-member team of the National Commission for Women will visit the state and probe the matter.

The team consisting of Hemalata Kheria and Mansi Pradhan would arrive here on November 11 and visit the family members of the deceased at Delang and then go to Rayagada.