Kalakshetra row: 5-member team of SHRC begins probe

CHENNAI: A five-member team led by SP S Maheshwaran from the State Human Rights Commission on Tuesday visited Kalashetra Foundation, hit by allegations of sexual harrasment by faculty members, to inquire about the human rights violation based on newspaper reports.

The SHRC had earlier ordered a suo-moto probe into the complaints of alleged sexual harassment in the institute and directed the inquiry committee to file a detailed report within six weeks.

The team on Tuesday recorded the statements of the students who complained of sexual harassment charges against Professor Hari Padman and three other non-teaching staff.

The officials also inquired about some of the staff of the Rukmani Devi College of Fine Arts in connection with the allegations levelled by the students against a few professors and staff.

Meanwhile, the Kalashetra Foundation appointed committee led by the retired Justice Kannan and retired DGP Letika Saran has also started their probe.

Hari Padman was arrested and is now detained in Puzhal prison based on the complaint of a former student of Kalashetra Foundation who complained of sexual harassment in 2019. As per the request of the state women commission chairperson AS Kumari, the Kalashetra Foundation has placed the four errant staff, including Hari Padman.