Professor Cleared of 2014 Sexual Harassment Charges

Quick Summary

• A Kerala court acquitted Prof. Anand Viswanathan, former Head of Economics at Munnar Government College, in a sexual harassment case from 2014.
• Five female students had accused him of making sexual advances, leading to four police cases and his suspension.
• Investigations revealed the allegations were fabricated after the professor caught the students cheating during an examination.
• A two-member panel later confirmed widespread malpractice during that examination but evidence was suppressed by college authorities.
• In 2021, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a lower court; he appealed and has now been cleared of all charges by Thodupuzha Sessions Court.
• During trial proceedings,it emerged that the complaint had been prepared at a political party office (allegedly CPI(M)).
• Prof. Viswanathan plans to file defamation cases against those involved in framing him.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The acquittal highlights serious flaws in institutional processes surrounding false complaints and academic misconduct.The case underscores how unchecked biases or political interference can erode justice systems within colleges. While Prof. Anand’s exoneration provides relief for personal grievances suffered over nearly a decade, it raises broader concerns about misuse of legal statutes meant to protect legitimate victims-a situation that could dilute trust in gender-based protections.

The disclosure about alleged party involvement indicates troubling confluences between politics and higher education administration. Systems governing examination integrity also appear compromised based on findings during self-reliant investigations into malpractice present at this college.

India must strengthen mechanisms ensuring balanced dispute resolution while upholding dignity for both complainants and accused individuals alike-a step vital for safeguarding academic environments from corruption or exploitation.

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