Bharatanatyam Maestro Arrested on Sexual Abuse Charges

In a significant development, renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Sheejith Krishna was arrested by Chennai Police following allegations of sexual abuse made by two former students. The arrest occurred at Krishna’s residence in Neelankarai on Monday, just hours before his scheduled departure to the US for dance performances. The allegations stem from his tenure at the prestigious Kalakshetra Foundation, where the victims, now in their late 30s and 40s, claim the abuses occurred.

The accusations came to light after one of the victims, seeking psychological therapy, was advised to take legal action. This prompted the women to approach the Madras High Court, which directed the Neelankarai all-women police to initiate a preliminary investigation earlier this year. The case was formally registered in February after extensive video-conferencing sessions with the complainants. Krishna, who is 51, was subsequently produced before a magistrate court and has been remanded to Puzhal prison.

This arrest follows a similar incident at the Kalakshetra Foundation last year, which led to widespread protests and the conviction of another faculty member for sexual misconduct. The foundation has not yet stated the latest charges. The US Consulate in Chennai has been informed about Krishna’s arrest, and measures have been taken to block his visa. The community and the art world await further developments as the legal process unfolds.

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