The Anna University sexual assault sent shockwaves across the city of Chennai. A 19-year old student was sexually assaulted by an alleged DMK functionary Gnanasekaran, who is said to have known the layout of the university campus owing to his wife’s employment there.
Gnanasekaran, a habitual offender, was arrested and investigation is under progress.
The case triggered widespread outrage and condemnation from political parties such as AIADMK, BJP, DMDK, and PMK, alongside protests across Tamil Nadu. In response to the public outcry, the Madras High Court took up the matter, forming an all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior IPS officers to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. The Court emphasized the need for prompt chargesheets and accountability in addressing crimes against women.
The High Court strongly criticized the Tamil Nadu government and the police for systemic failures, particularly the leak of the victim’s First Information Report (FIR). The Court termed this leak a “serious lapse” and condemned the misogynistic language used in the FIR, which contributed to victim-blaming and worsened the victim’s trauma. The Court also rebuked the Chennai Police Commissioner for prematurely revealing investigation details at a press conference and questioned whether he had obtained permission from the government to do so. It directed the government to take appropriate legal action against him for this breach and examine whether his actions violated service rules.
In light of these issues, the Madras High Court ordered the Tamil Nadu government to provide ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to the victim, addressing the trauma caused by the FIR leak. The Court also instructed Anna University to waive the victim’s fees, including tuition and hostel charges, to ensure she could continue her education, while recommending psychological counseling for her. Additionally, the Court ordered the university to strengthen its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to prevent future incidents.
As the investigation progresses, the High Court made it clear that the Kotturpuram All-Women Police Station, which had initially been handling the case, would no longer be involved, and the SIT would take over all aspects of the investigation. The Court also urged society to discard patriarchal biases and emphasized the importance of systemic reforms to ensure women’s safety, dignity, and justice.
Amidst the legal proceedings, the Tamil Nadu government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court’s directive to take legal action against the Police Commissioner. The Tamil Nadu government, in its appeal, has claimed that the leakage of the FIR was due to an administrative lapse at the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and not the fault of the Tamil Nadu police. On this basis, the government is challenging the Madras High Court’s directive to take action against the Chennai Police Commissioner.
இது எல்லாம் உருப்படற வேலையா??
நான் எதுவும் சொல்லுறதா இல்லை 💦💦💦💦💦 pic.twitter.com/3jcfbv4nT3
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) January 10, 2025
The appeal adds another layer to the ongoing legal battle, as the government seeks to challenge the High Court’s order in this high-profile case.
(With inputs from OneIndia Tamil)
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