On Monday, December 15, the Madras High Court annulled the application of the Goondas Act against Gnanasekaran, the prime accused in the sexual assault case reported at Anna University.
The law permits preventive detention without bail for a period extending up to one year.
A division bench consisting of Justice B. Velmurugan and Justice M. Jothiraman was adjudicating a plea submitted by Gnanasekaran’s mother, Gangadevi. Gnanasekaran had been taken into custody by the Greater Chennai Police on December 25 in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a female student within the Anna University premises on December 23. Investigators have also alleged that he recorded the incident and used the footage to intimidate the survivor.
During the proceedings, the Additional Public Prosecutor informed the court that the preventive detention law had been invoked solely on the basis of the sexual assault case, in which Gnanasekaran had already been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-remittable term of 30 years. The prosecution further stated that he was involved in 29 other criminal cases, including offences related to theft
A Mahila Court in Chennai on 28 May 2025 convicted Gnanasekaran, declaring all charges against him proven. The court sentenced Gnanasekaran 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.
The Incident & Arrest
The case pertains to an assault on December 23, 2024, when Gnanasekaran, a Kottur resident who ran a biryani stall near the campus, reportedly entered the university premises and sexually assaulted a female student in a secluded area. He also allegedly assaulted her male friend, filmed the incident, and later blackmailed the duo.
Following a complaint, the Greater Chennai Police arrested Gnanasekaran.
Profile Of Gnanasekaran
Gnanasekaran, a 37-year-old now-terminated DMK functionary from the Kotturpuram area in Chennai, reportedly worked as a roadside biryani vendor. He is reported to have two wives, one of whom he married under compelling circumstances after she became pregnant while they were both in school. Remarkably, both his first and second wives lived with him at his Kotturpuram house.
One wife is a contract worker, believed to be a professor at Anna University, which granted him unimpeded access to the campus—a connection he reportedly exploited to carry out his criminal activities there. Gnanasekaran is facing charges for multiple offences.
A resident of Kotturpuram had told a private YouTube channel that Gnanasekaran and his friends shared sexual photos of women through Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
Additionally, Gnanasekaran’s affiliations with the ruling DMK party have come to light, with photos of him alongside prominent DMK leaders, such as Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister Ma. Subramanian. These connections have fueled speculation that his political ties may have played a role in attempting to cover up his actions.
Criminal History And Background:
A repeat offender with a long criminal history, Gnanasekaran has been booked for shocking activities that span over a longer period before the Anna University incident, with numerous charges pending against him.
- Total Pending Cases: 14 with convictions in 6
- Previously Filed Cases: Gnanasekaran has been involved in at least six criminal cases before this incident, including allegations of molestation, trespassing, theft, and other serious charges.
- Prior Offenses: He is accused of molesting multiple individuals in separate incidents, including one woman within Anna University and one woman who is the daughter of a Tehsildar. However, many of the victims have not come forward to file formal complaints.
Anna University Sexual Assault Incident:
- Victim: A second-year engineering student inside the college.
- Incident Location: Anna University campus, Chennai.
- Details: Gnanasekaran, along with an accomplice, attacked the victim and her boyfriend at a secluded spot on the campus. He filmed the assault victim without consent and threatened to release the footage unless the victim complied with his demands. The perpetrator forced the victim to strip, harassed her, and then sexually assaulted her.
- FIR Details: Gnanasekaran’s actions included:
- Voyeurism – recording private moments of the girl with her boyfriend and threatening to leak the footage to college authorities and the victim’s parents.
- Sexually assaulting the girl and recording the same
- Forcing the victim to choose between expulsion from the university or “spending time” with him and another man.
Connection To DMK And Alleged Political Protection:
- DMK Affiliation: Gnanasekaran was a DMK functionary with documented ties to the party, despite official claims from DMK leaders denying his affiliation.
- Party Role: He was reportedly a Deputy Organizer for the Saidapet area, as confirmed by party leaflets and the DMK mouthpiece Murasoli.
- DMK Ties: He has been photographed with senior DMK leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister Ma. Subramanian, showing his strong political connections.
- Political Interference: Gnanasekaran’s past offenses were allegedly covered up with political backing. For instance, it is alleged that in the current sexual harassment case, the DMK circle secretary Shanmugam reportedly intervened during a police inquiry to protect Gnanasekaran from being arrested immediately.
Additional Allegations And Investigations:
- Criminal Record: Apart from the recent sexual assault case, Gnanasekaran has a shocking history of criminal activities, including trespassing, theft, and molestation.
- Unlawful Activities: He was involved in illicit activities, such as selling alcohol and drugs in the Saidapet area, where he had ties to the deceased rowdy ‘Gym’ Ezhumalai, according to AIADMK IT Wing head Kovai Sathyan.
- Use of Campus Access: His wife’s position as a temporary sanitation worker at Anna University allowed him unrestricted access to the campus, which he reportedly exploited to target victims and plan assaults.
- Cover-Up Allegations: Despite clear evidence linking Gnanasekaran to the DMK, certain party elements have attempted to downplay or cover up his affiliation. Controversy surrounds the leak of the FIR, which contained sensitive details about the victim’s identity.
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