News Flash Daily
09 March 
Rourkela headmaster Rohit Kumar Ray was allegedly caught in an inappropriate relationship with a school cook, triggering outrage among villagers who paraded him with a slipper garland
Rourkela: A major controversy has erupted in Odisha’s Sundargarh district after a school headmaster was allegedly caught in an inappropriate relationship with a woman working as a cook at the school. The incident triggered public outrage, leading villagers to assault the headmaster and parade him through the village with a garland made of slippers.
The incident took place at a Sevashram School in Rourkela, where headmaster Rohit Kumar Ray (45) was accused of maintaining an illicit relationship with the cook, who is reportedly the wife of the school management committee president.
The shocking episode has sparked widespread discussion about teacher ethics and the sanctity of educational institutions, while police have launched an investigation into both the alleged misconduct and the violent reaction from villagers.
Incident That Triggered Public Anger
According to local reports, the incident came to light after the school management committee president became suspicious about the relationship between the headmaster and the cook working at the school’s midday meal program.
The president reportedly noticed that the headmaster and the woman remained inside a room together after the midday meal preparations were completed. Suspecting inappropriate behavior, he, along with a group of villagers, allegedly entered the room and confronted the headmaster.
The confrontation quickly escalated into a tense situation that drew attention from residents in the area.
Villagers Assault Headmaster and Parade Him
Angered by the allegations, an irate mob allegedly assaulted the headmaster, placed a garland made of slippers around his neck, and forced him to walk through the village as a form of public humiliation.
Some members of the crowd also reportedly threw stones during the incident, creating panic among students who were present near the school premises.
“Instead of teaching children, he was teaching games to my wife,” the school management committee president reportedly said during the confrontation, expressing his anger over the alleged relationship.
The incident caused chaos in the area and raised serious concerns about discipline and moral standards in educational environments.
Past Allegations Against the Headmaster
During police questioning, authorities reportedly discovered that Rohit Kumar Ray had previously been involved in a similar case. According to sources, he had earlier been arrested in connection with an alleged inappropriate relationship with an assistant teacher.
After serving punishment in that case, he was reportedly transferred to the current school, where the latest controversy has now emerged.
The recurrence of such allegations has intensified criticism from locals and education officials.
Police Action and Arrests
Police officers arrived at the scene after receiving information about the incident. The injured headmaster was rescued from the crowd and admitted to a hospital for medical treatment.
Authorities have registered cases related to both the alleged misconduct and the assault. According to police officials, three individuals, including the school management committee president, have been arrested for attacking the headmaster.
Further investigation is currently underway to establish the exact sequence of events and the validity of the allegations.
Debate Over Ethics in Education
The incident has triggered a wider debate about professional conduct among teachers and the responsibility of educational staff. Many observers argue that schools must remain safe and morally responsible environments for students, and such controversies can damage public trust in the education system.
Education department officials are expected to examine the matter further and take appropriate disciplinary action based on the investigation findings.
