Justice delivered in Anna University case: 2024 sex assault that shook campus and brought political storm

A Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced A Gnanasekaran, the sole accused in the sexual assault of a 19-year-old Anna University student, to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 30 years without remission. The biryani vendor was also fined Rs 90,000 in a case that sparked outrage and protests across Tamil Nadu last December.

Judge Rajalakshmi delivered the verdict after the prosecution, led by advocate MP Mary Jayanthi, proved 11 charges against Gnanasekaran using forensic and documentary evidence. The swift trial, which concluded in just five months, was hailed as a landmark in ensuring timely justice for crimes against women, HT reported.

As per HT, the case took a controversial turn when the FIR was leaked from the Tamil Nadu police’s CCTNS website and circulated in the media, prompting the Madras High Court to transfer the investigation to a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT filed a chargesheet in February, and the case was later moved to the Mahila Court.

Who is Gnanasekaran?

The convict, a biryani stall owner near the university, had a criminal past with 20 prior cases (including theft and housebreaking) and convictions in six. On December 23, 2024, he entered the campus, thrashed a male student accompanying the victim, threatened him to flee and sexually assaulted the woman. His history and brazen attack fueled public fury. The student filed a complaint at the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram, leading to his arrest.

Case became flashpoint between DMK and opposition

The case triggered a political storm after Gnanasekaran’s alleged links to the ruling DMK surfaced. While Chief Minister MK Stalin dismissed claims of his party membership, calling him only a "sympathiser”, opposition parties seized on the controversy.

AIADMK leader and former CM Edappadi Palaniswami questioned Gnanasekaran’s initial release and alleged his proximity to two DMK functionaries. "Why were these two not questioned?" he demanded, also raising concerns over the resignation of an SIT deputy superintendent, HT cited.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran shared photos of Gnanasekaran with DMK leaders on social media, calling the verdict "historic" and praising the victim’s courage amid "political threats."

DMK MP Kanimozhi, however, contrasted the swift conviction with the six-year delay in the Pollachi sexual assault case under the previous AIADMK government.

As per HT, Chief Minister Stalin welcomed the verdict, stating, "Our police department has secured justice in just five months." He reiterated his government’s commitment to women’s safety and criticised opposition parties for "defamatory, cheap politics." Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani also lauded the DMK government and judiciary for the decisive ruling.