Hari Padman, the dance teacher who had become the target of Kalakshetra sexual harassment controversy has been granted bail by the court after the police failed to file chargesheet against him.
According to section 167 of CrPC, an accused will be entitled to bail by default, if the investigating authority fails to file charge sheet within 60 days from the date of remand.
Hari Padman, a Kalakshetra alumnus and teacher at the institute since 2002, was arrested on 3 April 2023, on charges of alleged sexual harassment and criminal intimidation, following a complaint from one of his former students.
The Kalakshetra Foundation’s board of directors had formed an independent inquiry committee to look into allegations of sexual harassment leveled against several teachers. In addition to suspending Padman pending the outcome of the investigation, the board had also terminated the services of three other teaching faculty members: Sanjith Lal, Sai Krishnan, and Sreenath.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) which had taken cognizance of the case found no evidence to support the allegations.
The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women had also began to look into the allegations and obtained statements from students. AS Kumari, the head of Tamil Nadu State Women’s Commission had given an interview to a YouTube channel in which she alleges that she got more than 100 complaints of sexual harassment, casteism etc.
Accordingly, the State Women’s Commission submitted a report to the police and recommended that 162 girl students from Kalashetra be investigated.
Around 15 female students were investigated by police from the Adyar All Women Police Station in the last two weeks but most of the students did not make any accusations of sexual harassment against Hari Padman, other teachers or the institution.
A few students reportedly told the police that they had nothing to do with the complaint and said that they did not make any sexual harassment charges against Hari Padman. They told the police that the teachers at Kalakshetra are kind and share good respect. The rest of the complaints are being investigated.
Earlier, a group of alumnae of Kalakshetra Foundation, had come out in support of Hari Padman, claiming that his conduct was good when they studied under him and that the case against him was fabricated.
According to journalist Sandhya Ravishankar, so far no student who has been investigated by the police have levelled any sexual harassment allegation against Hari Padman.
Haripadman got bail after 2 long months. Police did not file chargesheet. So far all students questioned by police have said they haven't undergone sexual harassment. Let the probe go on as per law. #Kalakshetra
— Sandhya Ravishankar (@sandhyaravishan) June 3, 2023
Earlier, a group of alumnae of Kalakshetra Foundation, had come out in support of Hari Padman, claiming that his conduct was good when they studied under him and that the case against him was fabricated.
However, leftist media outlets like The News Minute which had gone on a tirade against Kalakshetra Foundation accusing the institution of trying to silence voices and shielding the accused has gone silent now.
Insiders from Kalakshetra who do not find themselves quoted in the mainstream media, say that this entire episode has been because of three teachers namely – Nirmala Nagarajan, Nandini Nagarajan and Indhu Nideesh – who harbour professional rivalry against Haripadman.
Divya Hari Padman, in her complaint to the Chennai Police Commissioner, had said that the students had lodged a false complaint against her husband at the instigation of Kalashetra professors Nirmala Nagarajan and Nandini Nagarajan.
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