Baragada: A private college principal in Odisha's Baragada district has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a Class 10 student after taking him to a hotel on the pretext of providing coaching.

The accused has been identified as Debadatta Pradhan, principal of a private college at Bardol in the district.

According to the complaint, Pradhan initially took the student from the college’s coaching centre to Baragada. He later booked a hotel room and took the student there.

The family was reportedly told that the student would have to stay overnight for studies. However, the principal allegedly harassed the student sexually inside the hotel room.

The student managed to send a message to his family, informing them about the incident. The family then sought police assistance, and the student was rescued.

Baragada Town police subsequently arrested Pradhan and launched an investigation into the allegations.

The student’s family has demanded stringent action against the accused.