NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JUNE 2
The Mahila Court in Chennai pronounced the verdict in Anna University sexual assault case on Monday and sentenced the convict, A. Gunasekaran, to life imprisonment. Gunasekaran, the sole convict in the case must also pay a fine of ₹90,000.
- Gunasekaran, the sole convict in the case, was held guilty of charges by Chennai Mahila Court on May 28
- CM Stalin and Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami hail judgment
Justice Rajalakshmi, who presided over the case, had reserved the sentencing for June 2 after holding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The government counsel later confirmed that the prosecution successfully established all charges, including those under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act.
Gunasekaran, facing 11 charges in the case, was held guilty of all charges by the Chennai court.
The bench observed that the prosecution has proved all charges against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt. The special court, sentencing the convict for life, ruled no remission should be granted to the accused for at least 30 years.
Consultant counsel of the convict, B.R. Jayaprakash Narayanan said that they will be appealing against the duration of punishment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin welcomed the judgment and lauded the state police for ensuring swift justice for the victim in the case. “The petty intentions of some who sought to gain political advantage even from the injustice done to a young woman have been completely shattered by this. In line with the recent legal amendment we introduced, which ensures that sexual offenders are not eligible for premature release, I welcome and thank the court for its verdict in this case, which has imposed rigorous imprisonment without any concessions like remission,” he tweeted.
While Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami welcomed the judgment, he accused the Stalin government of trying to save Gunasekaran, allegedly a supporter of ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Palaniswami charged several questions remain unanswered and questioned why was the “sir” mentioned in the FIR not probed. Palaniswami said all answers will be made available once AIADMK forms government in the state.
The case dates back to December 23, 2024, when a woman student from Anna University lodged a complaint with the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram, Chennai. According to the complaint, A Gnanasekaran, a biryani vendor from Kottur, threatened her and her male friend before sexually assaulting her in a secluded area on the university premises.
Police reports indicated that Gnanasekaran recorded a video of the incident and used it to blackmail the woman and her friend. He was later arrested by the Greater Chennai Police and remanded to judicial custody.
The Madras High Court had also rapped the Tamil Nadu police for leaking the FIR with the victim’s details.
