The Chennai Mahila Court has found the accused Gananesekaran guilty in the Anna University sexual abuse case on Wednesday. He was found guilty of all eleven charges.
A second-year student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December. After an investigation, the Chennai Police had arrested Gananesekaran in connection with the case.
Anna University Campus Assault: What Happened?
A 19-year-old student was sexually assaulted on the campus of Anna University in Chennai in December 2024. The shocking incident led to public anger and became a major political issue in Tamil Nadu.
The accused, Gnanasekaran, entered the campus on December 23 around 8 PM. He attacked a senior male student who was with the girl, forced him to leave, and then sexually assaulted the second-year engineering student.
Gnanasekaran, who ran a biryani stall near the university, had a criminal history. He had been involved in 20 previous cases for crimes like theft and break-ins and was convicted in six of them.
The incident caused huge anger among students, who were worried about their safety on campus.It led to protests by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), who demanded justice for the student.
Anna University Sexual Assault case
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) December 25, 2024
Students Federation of India (SFI) staging a protest outside #AnnaUniversity pic.twitter.com/OTkTCc6fO7
Court Finds Accused Guilty on All Eleven Charges in Anna University Case
Speaking on the verdict, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami said, “The court has given its verdict today in the sexual abuse case. In this case, the AIADMK protested against the incident, and the voices of the students were heard. As a result of the following and a series of investigations, criminal charges were filed against the accused. The decision given by the court on the basis of documents is welcome.”
In her December 23 complaint to police, the student alleged that an unidentified man had threatened and sexually assaulted her when she was talking to her friend on campus.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that his government will stand with the victim of the Anna University alleged sexual assault case.
Stalin highlighted that the accused was arrested shortly after the incident to drive his message home, repeating the government’s commitment to get justice for the victim.
Speaking in the Tamil Nadu assembly during the first session of the new year, Stalin said, “Members have spoken here by mentioning one University’s name. But I don’t want to mention that name, and don’t want to defame that name. Because he only made us all. With that emotion, I am leaving aside that name. No one can accept what happened to a student in Chennai. Sexual assault on a student is cruel. Legislature members have spoken here on the issue. Except one, all have spoken here with real concern. This one member has spoken to show this government in a bad light.”
Various political parties have cornered the government on the Anna University alleged sexual assault case, accusing the DMK government of going slow on the case.
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