90 Complaints Of Sexual Abuse At Chennai Arts Academy: Women's Panel Chief

Asked whether there were attempts by the Kalakshetra Foundation to cover up the issue, AR Kumari said, "Both the Director and the Deputy Director weren't available. The Principal couldn't give any information."

Ninety complaints of sexual abuse and harassment of students at Chennai's Kalakshetra, a prestigious institution for classical arts, were received by the chief of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, she told NDTV on Friday, following a five-hour inquiry on the campus, as students staged protests demanding justice.

The complaints include sexual abuse and sexual harassment of female and male students by a faculty member and three repertory artists, AR Kumari told NDTV.

"Complaints include sexual abuse of both girls and boys. I met 12 one-on-one, including six via Zoom. Earlier, I addressed all, giving them a sense of confidence to open up. I will give a report to the state government," she said.

Asked whether there were attempts by the Kalakshetra Foundation to cover up the issue, she said, "Both the Director and the Deputy Director weren't available. The Principal couldn't give any information."