Bhubaneswar, July 9: The headmistress and staff members of Unit VIII Girls’ High School locked up director of the State Resources Centre for Adult Education, Satyabrata Barik, inside the school building for allegedly misbehaving with them. However, the director managed to sneak out of the school through the back door.

Headmistress Jyotsna Patnaik said Barik and his wife had come to the school after the morning prayers got over and misbehaved with the authorities.

“Suddenly, both of them lambasted us on why we do not give any emphasis on improving the school infrastructure. Barik hurled abuses at us. His daughter is a Class IX student studying here,” Jyotsna said.

She alleged that despite several requests to lower his voice, the director went on abusing the staff members and also misbehaved with her.

On the other hand, Barik pleaded innocence. He said the school authorities had invited him for an inspection. He found out that there was no mug in one of the two toilets meant for the students of Class IX and Class X.

“The school authorities have distorted the facts. Like any other concerned parent, when I enquired about the lack of certain facilities, the authorities became furious. This led to an argument. I did not abuse anyone,” he said.

Barik said during the argument, the headmistress had asked the staff members to lock the school’s main gate. As a result, he could not escape from the school. Moreover, the school authorities had called the police.

“However, when I saw one of the back gates of the school was open, I sneaked out. After I received a call from the police, I came to the school again. I gave my statement and was allowed to go home,” he added.

Barik further said that he was pained to find a signboard in the school, which read: “Parents are not allowed inside the school”.