Kalakshetra forms committee to probe abuse allegations

CHENNAI: An independent inquiry committee headed by retired Justice K Kannan has been set up by the Kalakshetra Foundation to inquire into the series of sexual harassment allegations and events that followed.
The board members of the Kalakshetra Foundation met on Monday to review the developments over the past few days and expressed concerns over the recent incidents at the campus, a release from the chairman S Ramadorai, former CEO and MD Tata Consultancy Services said. The three-member independent inquiry committee will include former DGP Lethika Saran and Medicine Sans Frontier volunteer Dr Shobha Varthaman, who is the mother of air force fighter pilot Abhinandhan Varthaman.
The foundation dispensed the services of three repertory artists of Kalakshetra Foundation Sanjith Lal, Sai Krishnan and Sreenath accused of sexual harassment besides suspending assistant professor Hari Padman, who was arrested on Monday. Students went on a two-day sit in protest on campus demanding action against these four professors and later filed complaints before the state women's commission and the city police.
While advocate B S Ajeetha, an external member of the internal complaints committee submitted her resignation stating she was 'disturbed' by the recent happenings in the institution and the response of the administration to the issue, the board reconstituted its internal complaints committee and has decided to appoint a new student counsellor and an independent advisory committee to strengthen the administration of the Kalakshetra Foundation.
Chairman Ramadorai appealed to the students to attend the examinations, as rescheduled, the release said. "The Kalakshetra Foundation is fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of its students, and providing a secure and inclusive environment for all," it added. Students will be appearing for the exam on Thursday.