Complaint lodged against T.N. Higher Education Minister Viswanathan for touching girl athletes’ legs

A complaint has been lodged against Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister and Melur MLA, P. Viswanathan, alleging inappropriate physical contact with girl athletes.

The complaint was submitted at the DGP’s office by lawyer Saranya Natarajan of the DMK’s legal wing.

The incident reportedly occurred on June 21, during an anti-drug awareness marathon in Melur, Madurai. According to the complaint, Mr. Viswanathan engaged in “deliberate, uninvited, and inappropriate” physical contact, including touching the thighs, feet, and shoulders of minor schoolgirls participating in the sports event.

Ms. Natarajan stated that a widely circulated video footage clearly captured the visible discomfort and distress of the children. The complaint further highlights that the unblurred broadcast of this footage across news channels and social media platforms illegally exposed the victims’ identities, compounding their trauma.

Demanding immediate action, the complainant urged the police to register an FIR under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The petition called for an immediate halt to the media circulation of unblurred videos, a thorough investigation, and intervention by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).