Kalakshetra case: Cops book faculty, 100 plaints filed, CM assures action

AFTER two days of protest by the students of Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra Foundation, demanding action against a few faculty members over complaints of sexual harassment, the Chennai city police late on Friday booked assistant professor Hari Padman under IPC sections 354A (sexual harassment) 509 (use of words, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and Section 4 of Women Harassment Act.

- BINITA JAISWAL & NOVINSTON LOBO

The complaint was lodged by a former student at an All Women Police station in the city. Police sources said the man was sending obscene messages and comments to her through social media. The victim had also mentioned that the faculty harassed her while she was studying at the institute and she had to discontinue her studies because of him. The accused kept harassing her even after she left the institution, a senior police officer said.

The development comes on a day when Chief Minister M K Stalin promised thorough investigation and action against wrongdoers in the Tamil Nadu assembly. Over 100 students gave written complaints to the chairperson of the Tamil Nadu women's commission who visited the campus and also called off their two-day sit-in protest on the campus on Friday.

The protesting students also sent letters to the CM and union culture minister seeking action against four male teachers.