Dhenkanal: Collector Nikhil Paban Kalyan has suspended Himansu Sekhar Sahu, the headmaster of Dhanianali Sevashram School in Gandia block, for misbehaving a Class IV student last December.

Sahu had allegedly touched her inappropriately.

When the girl, aged around 10 years, told her parents about it, the family initially did not want to report it. However, later, they lodged a complaint with the district collector. The collector asked the district welfare officer to conduct an inquiry.

"As soon we got the complaint, we asked the block development officer and one block official to conduct the inquiry. They found that the headmaster had touched the girl while she was returning after playing with her friends. The inquiry had found prima facie evidence against the headmaster, who was suspended by the collector on Monday," said district welfare officer Manas Mishra.

The girl has reportedly taken a transfer certificate from the school but no police complaint has been lodged.

Mishra said there was a clear guideline that no teacher should touch any girl student.