A case from Kerala has highlighted how false allegations can destroy lives and careers. In 2014, Professor Anand Viswanathan from Munnar Government College caught five postgraduate students cheating during an exam.
Shortly after, the students allegedly linked to the SFI accused him of sexual harassment. Reports claim their complaint was drafted in a CPM office. Four FIRs were filed, and Viswanathan was convicted in two of them.
He was suspended, jailed for three years, and forced into a long legal battle. Over the next decade, his career collapsed, and his personal life was torn apart.
In 2025, the Thodupuzha Additional Sessions Court acquitted him of all charges. Judge Laijumol Sherif found several contradictions in the students’ statements and noted that no independent witnesses supported their claims.
The court also pointed out that the original cheating incident was never investigated. The judgment hinted that the charges were politically motivated and exaggerated.
Despite his acquittal, the damage to Viswanathan’s life was severe. He lost his pension, had to relocate his children out of Kerala to avoid social stigma, and suffered years of public humiliation.
Following the verdict, Viswanathan said he would now pursue legal action against those who framed him. More importantly, he called for politics to stay out of education.
This case serves as a harsh reminder: while real harassment cases must be taken seriously, false allegations can irreparably harm innocent lives. Justice must always be based on facts not political influence.
