Orissa Dhenkanal Sanda College: Sex Scandal

Students attending regional colleges face unique systemic risks:

Rather than a "sex scandal," the college's major appearance in regional news occurred when the for the infrastructural redevelopment and modernization of Sanda College.

Additionally, a number of unrelated sexual harassment cases at other Odisha colleges prompted significant public outrage. For instance, in Balasore in July 2025, a college student set herself on fire after her sexual harassment complaint was "not validated" by an internal inquiry committee, sparking statewide protests and leading to the principal's arrest and suspension. In Jagatsinghpur the same month, a principal and a lecturer were suspended and booked under the POCSO Act following a student's sexual harassment complaint. These incidents, while not connected to Sanda College, underscore systemic vulnerabilities within educational institutions in Odisha. sex scandal orissa dhenkanal sanda college

In March 2025, a student from a private college in Dhenkanal tragically drowned in a local pond. Guidance for Verification

While some relationships blossom into lasting partnerships, many are defining, temporary experiences that prepare students for adult life. In Jagatsinghpur the same month, a principal and

As the probe committee began its investigation, it became clear that the sex scandal was not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a larger problem that had been festering in the college for years. Several students and faculty members reportedly told the committee that they had been aware of the scandal, but had chosen to remain silent, fearing reprisal or social ostracism.

A historical case in Dhenkanal concluded with a school teacher receiving a 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for the sexual assault of a student. Prohibition and Redressal) Act

Regardless of the specifics of any particular institution, the broader issue of safety in higher education remains a pressing concern. The presence of robust Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), as mandated by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (the "PoSH Act"), is crucial for ensuring that students and staff can report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Yet, studies and news reports indicate that in many colleges across Odisha, such committees are either not functional or their recommendations are not made public, leading to a climate of impunity. In December 2013, a police case was registered against a private college in Dhenkanal for allegedly showing sexually explicit pictures to minor girl students, highlighting the potential for misconduct to occur in private institutions.

The perpetrator reportedly sought out students who were struggling academically or facing financial hardships.