Hari Padman found guilty by enquiry committee set up by Kalakshetra Foundation

The chairman of the Kalakshetra Foundation, S.Ramadorai had instated an enquiry committee after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power had surfaced against Hari Padman, a teacher at the institute since 2002, in March 2023. 

The committee has filed a 2000 page report. It consisted of interactions with students, staff members and alumni of the institute. The report referred to Hari Padman as a delinquent and recommended a harsh punishment for his actions. The committee has also made recommendations that advocate for reforms that ensure safety of women in its premise “by focusing to promote Kalakshetra Foundation primarily as an institution of higher learning and not to showcase it as an institution of public performers,” as per the report’s disclosure. 

 3 other faculty members Sanjith Lal, Sai Krishnan and Sreenath were also dismissed from service for abetting the harassment. Students had demonstrated in April 2023 demanding the institute to take action against the faculty for perpetrating a toxic culture. Padman was arrested in April but released on bail in June.  

Padman had reportedly invited students to his residence and in the circumstance that they reject his advances, they would have to bear the brunt of humiliation from his end.