Bhubaneswar: Utkal University authorities have decided to discontinue the academic activities of an assistant professor who has been accused of harassing students of his department.

Students of the psychology department had been staging demonstrations alleging co-operation on part of the academic since October 12.

Head of the department Bhaswati Patnaik on Monday issued an order to keep Maheswar Satpathy, the assistant professor, away from all academic and student related activities.

"Till the enquiry committee submits a report, his services have been stopped," she said.

The students had been demanding Satpathy's ouster over allegations of "verbal harassment".

"Last year, the students had brought similar allegations against him, and for this reason, other faculty members were asked to take his classes. He has been making false allegations since he joined our department," Patnaik said.