After 11 yrs, court acquits Munnar college professor

Kochi: Thodupuzha additional sessions court in Idukki acquitted Anand Viswanathan, former head of the economics department at Munnar Government College, in a sexual harassment case filed by students in 2014.Viswanathan, who also served as the additional chief examiner, faced accusations of making sexual advances toward female students who were caught cheating during exams. Earlier, the trial court had sentenced him to three years in prison in two cases, which led to his suspension from service. However, on appeal, Thodupuzha additional sessions court-IV judge Laijumol Sherif acquitted him of all charges."There is a total lack of evidence to prove that the appellant committed any offence as alleged. So, the appellant is entitled to a clear acquittal only," said the judgment.In 2014, five students complained to the then education minister and the state women's commission. Police registered four cases related to the alleged incident. Police investigation later revealed that the students had conspired to frame Viswanathan after being caught cheating, allegedly with the support of an invigilator and college authorities.Viswanathan told TOI that he fought the case for 10 years confidently because he was innocent. He recalled that during the 2014 MA Economics second semester exams at the college, many malpractices had occurred, including the absence of invigilators. On Sept 5, the final exam day, he caught five female students cheating and reported them for their malpractice. When he came back after Onam holidays, he learnt the students had filed a sexual harassment complaint against him.Viswanathan also alleged that the students had written the complaint from a CPM party office in the area and added that the students might have some links to SFI. "I think the court decision teaches these people that colleges are not for politics but for learning," he said. He added that he may consult his lawyer about filing a complaint against those who falsely accused him and filed a case.