Jagatsinghpur, Jul 14: Swami Arupananda College at Kurtanga in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district has once again landed in controversy after its principal was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards women faculty members and staff.

According to complaints filed by women employees, the principal allegedly made obscene and derogatory remarks, forced them to touch his feet, compared them to dogs, verbally abused them, and compelled them to sit beside him against their will. The allegations have sparked outrage within the institution.

The complainants lodged an FIR at Raghunathpur Police Station, while the principal has also filed a separate counter-complaint. However, despite the complaints being submitted on July 11, the women employees have alleged that no concrete action has been taken by the authorities so far.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of progress in the investigation, the aggrieved faculty members and staff met the Sub-Collector on Monday and sought immediate intervention and action.

The college had made headlines around eight months ago when a professor and the then principal were arrested following allegations of sexually harassing a female student. The incident had drawn widespread attention and put the institution under public scrutiny.

The latest allegations have once again raised serious concerns about the working environment at the college. In addition to the harassment claims, a woman clerk has accused the principal of pressuring her to prepare false financial vouchers. She alleged that after refusing to comply, she was threatened and verbally abused. A video purportedly showing the principal using abusive language towards the employee has also surfaced and is being widely circulated on social media.

Responding to the allegations, the principal denied any wrongdoing. He reportedly described himself as a "Vishwaguru" and claimed that the complainants had secured their jobs by paying bribes and lacked even basic educational knowledge. He also made a counter-allegation, claiming that a woman employee had assaulted him with a broom.