In a stunning verdict, a Kerala court has acquitted Professor Anand Viswanathan, a former head of the Economics Department at Government College, Munnar, in a sexual harassment case that haunted him for over 11 years. The court ruled that the accusations were baseless and politically motivated, exposing a conspiracy allegedly hatched at the office of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 2014, when Prof. Viswanathan caught five postgraduate students cheating during an MA Economics examination. Soon after, the same students—allegedly linked to the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of CPI(M)—filed sexual harassment complaints against him. Four separate FIRs were lodged, triggering a prolonged legal and personal battle for the professor.
In 2021, Prof. Viswanathan was convicted in two of the cases and sentenced to three years in prison. Though he was later released on bail, he suffered job suspension, administrative transfers, and severe damage to his reputation and livelihood.
Court's Findings: No Evidence, Political Conspiracy
Delivering the judgment, Additional Sessions Judge Laijumol Sherif observed that the prosecution failed to produce any credible or corroborative evidence. The court pointed out numerous inconsistencies, contradictions, and embellishments in witness testimonies, ultimately concluding that the case was a deliberate and politically driven conspiracy to target the professor.
The verdict further revealed that the complaint was allegedly drafted at a local CPI(M) office, suggesting the involvement of political operatives in manipulating the students to settle scores with the professor.
"I caught them cheating, and within days I was branded a predator. My only fault was upholding academic integrity," Prof. Viswanathan said after the judgment. “The real harassment was what I went through for 11 years.”
Impact on the Professor’s Life
The prolonged legal battle took a heavy toll. Despite his eventual acquittal, Viswanathan continues to receive only 75% of his pension, as departmental actions based on the original allegations remain uncorrected. He now plans to pursue legal action against those responsible for framing him, including seeking compensation for loss of dignity, employment benefits, and mental trauma.
A Larger Question: Political Interference in Academia
The case has sparked widespread debate about political interference in educational institutions, especially in Kerala, where student politics often mirrors party-line rivalries. Critics argue that campus activism, when weaponized for personal or political agendas, can destroy innocent lives.
Legal experts have welcomed the ruling as a victory for due process, while also calling for reforms to prevent such politically-motivated misuse of sexual harassment laws.
Key Highlights:
Professor Anand Viswanathan acquitted after 11 years in false harassment case.
Court finds no evidence, cites politically motivated conspiracy by SFI-linked students.
Complaint allegedly drafted at CPI(M) office.
Professor faced suspension, conviction, loss of pension, and mental trauma.
Calls grow for accountability and reform in campus politics and legal safeguards. #AnandViswanathan #JusticeForProfessorAnand #MunnarProfessorCase #FalseCaseExposed #KeralaCourtVerdict #InnocentAfter11Years #JusticeDelayedJusticeDenied #FalseAccusation #MisuseOfLaw #PoliticalConspiracy #CampusPolitics #StopPoliticalVendetta #WeaponizedAllegations #KeralaPolitics #TheLallanpost #thelallanpostnews