In a significant judgment, Judge M. Rajalakshmi of the Women’s Court has sentenced Gnanasekaran — convicted in the Anna University sexual harassment case to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹90,000. The court ordered that the sentence of 30 years must be served in full, concurrently, with no provision for sentence reduction. Additionally, the fine amount is to be paid as compensation to the survivor.
Earlier on 28 May 2025, Gnanasekaran was found guilty under 11 charges related to the case. The announcement of his sentencing was reserved until 2 June 2025, which is when the final judgment was formally delivered.
The judge reaffirmed that Gnanasekaran must undergo the full 30-year sentence without remission, emphasizing the gravity of the offence and directing that the monetary penalty be handed over to the victim.
Speaking to the media, government prosecutor Jayanthi stated that the evidence clearly established Gnanasekaran as the sole perpetrator. She noted that his mobile phone was in flight mode at the time of the incident, supporting the conclusion that he acted alone. She also cautioned that any unwarranted criticism of the court’s ruling would be treated as contempt.
Speaking to the media, advocate Maria Jalal, who represented the victim, detailed how they faced threats and were ignored right from the beginning of the case. He revealed that despite calling the 181 Women’s Helpline over ten times, there was no response. Instead, the helpline directed the victim’s legal team to report the matter to the central department. He further stated that this lack of response was reported during the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry. He alleged that due to the negligence of the 181 helpline, the case which should have been registered on the day of the incident was delayed by a full day.
He also criticized the Kotturpuram Women’s Inspector Padma Devi for sending two male police officers to investigate a sensitive sexual harassment case. According to him, these male officers tried to pressure the victim into withholding her statement by warning her that pursuing the case could ruin her life.
He said, “When the complaint was registered, the Kottupuram Women Police Inspector has sent two male police officers to investigate this girl. I had specifically highlighted this very seriously to the SIT — When I questioned them about this, how could they send two male police officers in a sexual harassment case involving a female? they arrogantly responded over the phone saying, ‘This is our case, we will investigate it. Don’t issue us any orders. We will do as we wish.’ After that, they sent one police officer in plain clothes named Karthi Chudalai, and another police officer in uniform. That girl has called and said, ‘Ma’am, please don’t send anyone in uniform. I have an exam, I’m going to attend it. If someone comes for inquiry at this time, it will cause me stress. So please, I request you not to send anyone in uniform. Everyone here will come to know about it.’ Even after she made repeated requests like this, they forced the issue and sent two male police officers. They took the girl and conducted the initial inquiry at the location where the incident happened. It was two male officers who did this. We told the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that this action by the Kotturpuram police inspector was wrong.”
He added that he has inquired with the government pleaders about the disciplinary actions taken against the police officers involved in the matter. If no response is received, he stated that he would seek legal recourse through the courts or have the victim file a formal petition with the Commissioner to obtain the necessary information.
He later recalled that the police pressured the victim by saying, “The male police officer who came pressured the girl not to file the FIR, saying that if she files it, her life will be affected. It was only because of my insistence that the FIR was eventually registered. I gave her the courage to do so. Similarly, they told her not to go for the medical test, saying it wasn’t advisable. Later, I gave her legal advice to go for the medical test since it was necessary for the investigation.”
"FIR போடாத உன்னோட வாழ்க்கையே போயிடும்னு அந்த மாணவியை முதலில் போலீஸ்காரங்க தடுத்திருக்காங்க.." மாணவி தரப்பு வழக்கறிஞரின் குற்றச்சாட்டு பேட்டி#Chennai | #Lawyer | #Gnanasekaran | #AnnaUniversityCase | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/1XOnm7fDXq
— Polimer News (@polimernews) June 2, 2025
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