Chennai Court Grants Bail To Kalakshetra Faculty Member In Sexual Harassment Case

In December 2022, one the former Directors of the foundation had made a Facebook post accusing the male teacher of molesting and threatening the students. This led to many other students coming forward with similar instances of sexual harassment. The students sat on dharna demanding action from the college. After this, the college had suspended Padman.

A police complaint was also lodged by a former student of the college based on which the All Women Police, Adyar booked Padman under sections 354A (sexual harassment) 509 (use of words, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code and section 4 of the T.N. Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act (penalty for harassment of women).

Padman had previously approached the Madras High Court seeking bail but the petition was withdrawn. On Tuesday, another bail petition filed by Padman was taken up by Justice AD Jagadish Chandira. However, Padman's counsel informed the court that he has been granted bail and thus, sought to withdraw the petition which the court allowed.

Previously, when a group of students had approached the court for framing of policy against sexual harassment and reconstitution of the complaints committee, the court had issued directions to the foundation for the same.