The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer held for sexual abuse
THE CHENNAI Police arrested renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Sheejith Krishna on Monday after two of his former students, who are now in their late 30s and 40s, approached the Madras High Court alleging that he sexually abused them during his stint at the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai.
The incident comes to the fore exactly a year after a similar case of sexual harassment was reported at the Kalakshetra Foundation, which triggered massive protests and led to the arrest of faculty member Hari
Padman who was found guilty of sexually abusing students. Kalakshetra Foundation is yet to come out with a statement in the present case.
A senior police officer familiar with the investigation of the case said Krishna ( 51) was taken into custody from his residence i n Neelankarai on Monday, hours before he was to fly to the US for a couple of dance shows. Sources in the government said the US Consulate in Chennai was informed about the case and certain blockades have already been place d on his visa hereafter.
After being taken into custody on Monday, Krishna was produced before a magistrate court and sent to Puzhal prison.
"It was last year's protests and arrest of a faculty member that prompted these two women to approach court. One of them was seeking therapy from a psychologist in Chennai, with whom she shared the incidents of sexual harassment. The psychologist suggested that she take legal help and directed her to a lawyer. They then approached the Madras High Court,” said the police officer.
Acting on the directions of the Madras High Court, the Neelankarai all- women police launched a preliminary investigation earlier this year. "We conducted inquiries with the complainants through video- conferencing and a case was officially registered in February," said the officer.
The details of the complaint, as accessed by The Indian Express, show that Krishna allegedly began his abuse under the guise of paternal affection, by exploiting the women's innocence and lack of awareness about sexual boundaries.
He often explained "nonconsensual kissing and touching" as demonstrations of fatherly love or part of dance instruction and proclaimed them as the ' special/ chosen' one, thereby manipulating their emotions.
The police officer said one of the complaints states that many incidents happened on the Kalakshetra college campus and staff quarters, where Krishna had access to private spaces to perpetrate the abuse.
A complaint brought before the Madras High Court stated how at the age of 15, Krishna forced the woman into sexual acts against her will, including an early incident where he pushed her onto a bed and raped her.