Sambalpur, March 10: The head of the postgraduate department of law of Sambalpur University, Minaketan Sahu, whom police had arrested yesterday for allegedly attempting sexual assault on a PhD scholar, was sent to jail today.

A local court today rejected Sahu's bail plea.

Sahu allegedly attempted sexual assault on the PhD scholar while she was doing some computer work in his chamber on Sunday.

However, the teacher refuted the allegation and said he had been falsely implicated.

This incident had caused sharp reaction among the students and intellectuals of the city. Yesterday, the BJP Mahila Morcha met the varsity's vice-chancellor over the issue.

Former president of the Sambalpur University Jadu Bihari Bag said: 'This is really a disturbing incident. Such types of incidents are tarnishing the image of the university.'

Women activists have also condemned the incident.

'A few days ago, the police had arrested the head of the university's history department for attempting rape on a minor girl. And now, the cops arrested another university teacher for attempting sexual assault on a student. This is really shameful. Such types of incidents will discourage the parents to send their daughters to the university,' said woman activist Pushpa Mohapatra.