Jajpur, April 6: A teacher of Kantigadia primary school, a government-run institution, has been suspended for allegedly molesting a girl student of Class IV at the school.

The accused, Susanta Kumar Rout, has been absconding ever since the day the complaint was lodged with the school and mass education secretary and local police by the victim’s father, who alleged that Rout had molested his daughter on the school campus during recess.

“After we received the complaint on March 18, we conducted a probe and prima facie evidence substantiated the allegation. On the basis of the finding, we have placed the teacher Susanta Kumar Rout under suspension with effect from Tuesday,” said Kashinath Barik of Jajpur-II district inspector (DI) of schools. “We have intimated higher authorities about taking further action against the teacher.”

He added that the accused teacher had very bad antecedents and some guardians of other students had earlier levelled charges of sexual abuse of their wards against the same teacher,

Dharmasala police have also registered a case against the teacher under Sections 354 (or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code based on the complaint of the father of the girl.

“We are on the lookout for the culprit. He has been absconding since the day the complaint was lodged. A search is on,” Subhendu Kumar Sinha, inspector-in-charge of Dharmasala police station.

When the incident came to light, aggrieved parents had reported the matter to the school and mass education secretary demanding stern action against the teacher.

The school and mass education secretary had ordered the district project coordinator, Jajpur, to inquire into the incident and immediately present a report.