The Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, M Appavu, has once again stirred controversy by claiming that Gnanasekaran, the culprit in the Anna University on-campus sexual assault case, referred to him as his brother. This statement has drawn heavy criticism on social media. Opposition parties have already raised concerns about Gnanasekaran’s ties to the ruling DMK, citing several photos of him with ministers and the Deputy Chief Minister. The Speaker’s comment has reignited debate over whether the accused has connections within the DMK and whether there is an attempt to shield him.
This comment from Appavu follows an event on 10 January 2025, when a book launch ceremony titled “India Won” took place in Chennai. Speaker Appavu, who was present at the event, took the stage and stated, “The Madras High Court has appointed three female IPS officers to investigate the case of my brother Gnanasekaran“.
This video of Appavu has gone viral, with widespread criticism directed at the Speaker for referring to a sexual assault and serial abuse accused as his “brother.”
சபாநாயகர் அப்பாவு தம்பியாம் அந்த பொறம்போக்கு…..
சரி அப்பாவு சார் …அவன்கிட்ட கேட்டு சொல்லுங்க அந்த “சார்” யார்ன்னு? pic.twitter.com/KULj19mHqV
— Arulkumar Karuppannan (@ArulkumarBjp) January 21, 2025
அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழக :-
“ஒரு பாலியல் வன்முறை குற்றவாளி ஞானசேகரன்”
ஐ தன் தம்பி என்று அழைத்த “சபாநாயகர் அப்பாவு”.ஒரு பாலியல் குற்றவாளியை தம்பி என அழைக்கும் அளவிற்கு இருக்கிறது தமிழகம் அதுவும் சபாநாயகர் 🤦.
@AppavuSpeaker #யாரு_அந்த_சார் pic.twitter.com/etKgrBwSd9
— Suganya Krishna 🚩🇮🇳 (@Dr_Suganya_) January 21, 2025
“என் தம்பி ஞானசேகரன்..” எப்படிப்பட்ட வரிகள் @AppavuSpeaker சார்..
உண்மையை எத்தனை நாளுக்கு தான் மறைச்சு வைக்க முடியும்? பார்ப்போம்#யார்_அந்த_சார் @annamalai_k @BJP4India @BJP4TamilNadu @blsanthosh #annamalai #DMKFails pic.twitter.com/jJABcgUl6I
— Dr.R.Ananda Priya (@APriya_Official) January 20, 2025
துதிய கவனித்தீரா…..
“என் தம்பி ஞானசேகரன்” …
யோவ் @AppavuSpeaker நீங்கதான் அந்த SIR ?
அப்போ புரியல இப்போ புரியுது அப்பாவு🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/fXweRWvrV1
— DG Mahesh (@DGMaheshBJP) January 21, 2025
“என் தம்பி ஞானசேகரன்” – மாட்டிக்கினாரு அப்பாவு சார்!@annamalai_k #Annamalai @BJP4TamilNadu #DMKFailsTN pic.twitter.com/7cdFYvSd9M
— Johny Bhai(அண்ணாமலையின் வார் ரூம்)🇮🇳 (@Johni_raja) January 20, 2025
அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழக பாலியல் குற்றவாளி ஞானசேகரன் என் தம்பி என பாசாமாக பேசியது யார் பார்த்தீர்களா? சபாநாயகர் திரு.அப்பாவு…
இந்த லட்சணம்தான் திமுக… கயவர்களின் கூடாரம்..@annamalai_k @BJP4TamilNadu @KesavaVinayakan @APriya_Official @apmbjp @KaruppuMBJP pic.twitter.com/Bb6CyWe9O7
— Pon V Balaganapathy (@ponbalabjp) January 21, 2025
“என் தம்பி ஞானசேகரன் வழக்கு”
-அப்பாவுஒரு பாலியல் குற்றவாளி இவருக்கு (என் தம்பி) கொடுமை டா 🤦🏻#ShameOnYouStalin | #Annamalai pic.twitter.com/XyEU5v3d4C
— 𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗛 (Team REBEL) (@Niti_Twitz) January 20, 2025
Who Is Gnanasekaran
Gnanasekaran has been implicated in over 20 cases, including a high-profile robbery and kidnapping in 2018. He, along with his brother Suresh, two wives, and mother, kidnapped a businessman in Madurantakam near Kanchipuram and looted jewels and cash worth ₹25 lakh from his home. His brother, two wives, and mother were arrested in this case. Investigations following his arrest in this case revealed a pattern of criminal behavior spanning several years.
Gnanasekaran’s modus operandi involved targeting unoccupied homes in affluent areas like Mylapore, ECR, and Abhiramapuram between 7 and 9 PM, when traffic and movement concealed his actions. To avoid leaving traces, he would sprinkle chili powder to mislead tracking dogs. However, in one instance in CIT Colony, he mistakenly used a health drink powder, “Boost,” instead, leading to his capture through sniffer dogs.
Gnanasekaran was recently arrested for sexually assaulting a student within the Anna University campus. The case brought his extensive criminal background to light. In separate incidents, he looted 37 and 45 sovereigns of gold jewelry from two homes owned by businessmen in Abhiramapuram locality.
He also stole 40 sovereigns of gold from a businessman’s home in CIT colony but was caught due to his error in using “Boost” powder instead of chilli powder.
The police have uncovered that Gnanasekaran used the proceeds of his crimes to purchase a 3.5 farmhouse in Thandaripet, Chengalpattu district, near Madhuranthakam. The property became his hideout after robberies. Another farmhouse near Uttaramerur, also bought with stolen money, has been linked to him.
#JustNow || கொள்ளை அடித்த பணத்தில் 3.5 ஏக்கரில் பண்ணை வீடு வாங்கிய ஞானசேகரன்..
என்னடா இது?? இவன் கிரைம் லிஸ்ட்டு கூடிக்கிட்டே போகுது… pic.twitter.com/2h1USzF4ts
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) January 2, 2025
Following his arrest in the Anna University case, CCTV footage from 2018 revealed his involvement in a robbery where he wore a mask. This evidence and subsequent investigations exposed his role in multiple crimes.
According to the police, Gnanasekaran was a habitual offender who meticulously planned his crimes. He operated with his family’s assistance and targeted homes during specific hours to exploit their vulnerability. His criminal activities have shocked residents of Chennai and surrounding areas.
SIT Investigation Reveals the Involvement of Another Person
The Anna University campus sexual harassment case, which has sparked widespread outrage in Tamil Nadu, involves Gnanasekaran, who has already been arrested. In her complaint, the victim revealed that during the assault, the accused spoke to a person on the phone and referred to them as “Sir,” although she didn’t know their identity. With Gnanasekaran being the only individual arrested so far, the person’s identity on the other end of the line remains a critical question. This has led to public demands for answers, with opposition parties asking, “Who is that Sir?” A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been tasked with unravelling the mystery.
During their investigation, the SIT spoke to the victim, who reiterated that Gnanasekaran had made threats during the call, saying, “I will come after threatening her.” Authorities suspect the individual on the phone might be from Tiruppur and have a criminal background, leading them to plan an interrogation of this person in the coming days.
On 4 January 2025, the SIT conducted a raid at Gnanasekaran’s residence, recovering crucial documents and a laptop, which investigators suspect was used to upload pornographic material. During their investigation, the team identified four individuals, including women and students, who appear in some of the videos. Although many pornographic videos were found, only a few have been linked to identifiable victims. Authorities have assured that any victims who come forward will have their identities protected. This new development has added complexity to the case, prompting the SIT to broaden its inquiry into potential further illegal activities.
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