Both Athena and Hari Padman had then denied the allegations about their relationship. Additionally, Athena, who is now a tutor at the institute, filed a civil defamation case against Leela, which was recently settled after mediation. The XVI additional civil court ordered Leela to pay her `8 lakh and publish regret post on FB.

Responding to Samson’s regret post, Athena said the dancer held immense value in the artistic world and it was important that she remained vigilant and not be influenced by others. Blaming her for posting something without verifying its authenticity, Athena said it took her two years of legal battle to make Samson realise her mistake and understand the weight of her position and power of her words. “Let your voice always be your own, never borrowed from others,” she said.

Meanwhile, Hari was released on bail in June 2023. The trial in the case continues to move at a snail’s pace in the Saidapet magistrate court, with the accused Hari even obtaining an order from the HC for a speedy trial. A source, who was then with Kalakshetra, said the 2022 post by Leela was considered as a ‘whistleblower’ to the alleged complaints of sexual harassment in the institute that emerged subsequently.

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