Former Dance Professor Sheejith Krishna Accused of Sexual Harassment at Chennai Academy

A group of former students accused Sheejith Krishna of sexually harassing them between 1996 and 2001. They had moved to the Madras High Court to address the issue, as Mr. Krishna’s team has not yet responded to the allegations. The court directed the Chennai Police Commissioner to take action on the complaint, and a senior police officer confirmed the arrest, stating that the former students alleged Sheejith used them.

Last year, professor Hari Padman was sacked by the Kalakshetra Foundation after being found guilty of sexual harassment by an inquiry committee. He was subsequently arrested. There were also widespread allegations of sexual harassment by faculty and repertory artists, and students took to the streets to seek justice, citing inaction by the administration.

Initially, both the management and the National Commission for Women denied any sexual harassment until the issue was brought to court. Around a hundred students, including males, submitted written complaints to the state women’s commission. An independent committee made recommendations that the Madras High Court urged the institution to implement, considering its failure to address sexual harassment as a “blight on Kalakshetra”.

These recommendations include banning students from entering teachers’ quarters except during community celebrations, and prohibiting the engagement of repertory artists, while emphasizing deep learning and polishing of the art form.