The principal of the residential school at Gariabahal village in the district of Sambalpur, about 350-km from state capital Bhubaneswar, was arrested on Thursday night after one of the girl’s parents lodged a complaint, said Biswamitra Haripal, a police officer.

The 14-year-old victim told police that the 45-year-old principal would often drop into the hostel and make indecent gestures. He was also molesting girls at the residential school. Some of the girls had brought this matter to the notice of the school management, but no action was taken. The molestations were going on for over a year, the victim complained.