Bhubaneswar, July 2: The headmaster of a government school in Odisha’s Bhadrak district has been suspended after he was allegedly found consuming alcohol during school hours and later attending classes while intoxicated, officials said.

The suspension was ordered by Chandabali Block Education Officer (BEO) Suvendu Maharaj, who placed Srinath Das, headmaster of Binapani Nodal Upper Primary School, under suspension with immediate effect. The action will remain in force pending departmental disciplinary proceedings.

According to the official suspension order, Das was allegedly seen drinking liquor at a local marketplace during official school hours on June 30. He later reported to the school in an intoxicated condition and attended classes, the order stated.

The authorities described the alleged conduct as gross misconduct and said it was unbecoming of a government servant, warranting disciplinary action.