Chennai court finds Anna University sex assault accused guilty on all charges
A Mahila Court in Chennai declared the accused in the Anna University sexual assault case guilty. The court on Wednesday said all 11 charges against Gnanasekaran were proved using documentary and forensic evidence.The incident took place around 8 pm on December 23 last year, when Gnanasekaran, a resident of Kottur who ran a biryani stall near the campus, allegedly entered the university premises, sexually assaulted a female student in a secluded area, and assaulted her male friend.advertisementAccording to the police, he allegedly shot a video of the incident and blackmailed the duo. He was later arrested by the Greater Chennai police and sent to prison.
Soon after his arrest, photographs of Gnanasekaran with functionaries of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) surfaced, leading to a political controversy. While the DMK initially denied any affiliation, opposition parties circulated images claiming he held a position in the party. BJP state chief K Annamalai alleged that Gnanasekaran was a DMK student wing office-bearer and posted photos of the accused with DMK leaders.Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathi refuted the claims, stating that Gnanasekaran was not a party office-bearer. Chief Minister MK Stalin, in the Assembly, too clarified that while the accused was not a DMK member, he was indeed a sympathiser. advertisement'I assure you that the one arrested in the Chennai student case is not a member of DMK. He is a DMK sympathiser, we don't deny it,' Stalin said.Gnanasekaran had earlier filed a petition seeking release from the case, claiming there was no evidence against him and that his arrest was based on suspicion. Tamil Nadu Police filed a counterpetition, and arguments from both sides were placed before the court.As per the Madras High Court's direction, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the case. The SIT later filed a chargesheet in the Mahila Court.The Mahila court framed charges against Gnanasekaran under sections various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sexual harassment, BNSS, IT Act and the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act.He has now sought leniency in punishment, citing his mother's poor health. The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on June 2.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
CPM demands more seats, secy continues tirade against DMK
Chennai: CPM state secretary P Shanmugam has reiterated the party's intent to seek more seats in the DMK alliance in the 2026 assembly election. "Contesting in more seats is as important as being in the DMK front to defeat the BJP alliance," he told reporters in Chennai on Wednesday. The CPM has signalled its desire to contest in more seats in the upcoming election over the past few days. Shanmugam reiterated that CPM will contest in more seats in the 2026 assembly election and that it will not be content with the six seats as in 2021. Nevertheless, Shanmugam said the CPM would continue to be in the DMK front. He said the focus was to keep the BJP alliance away from power in Tamil Nadu. The only party that has the strength to defeat the AIADMK-BJP front was DMK, he said. Shanmugam launched CPM's public campaign in Chennai "to highlight the failures" of Prime minister Narendra Modi-led BJP govt at the Centre in controlling price rise, reducing unemployment and protecting constitutional mandates and federal principles. Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the campaign, Shanmugam continued his critical approach towards the DMK, Shanmugam said he was not sure whether the DMK has fulfilled 98.5% of the poll promises as claimed by DMK MP A Raja. "DMK has not fulfilled its poll promise of providing monthly electricity bills as mentioned in its manifesto. There are many such and how can they say that they have fulfilled 98.5% of their promises," Shanmugam asked. Raja had said that DMK fulfilled its poll promises except that of providing family pension to the govt employees. Shanmugam wondered whether all the unfulfilled promises come under the remaining 1% of the poll promises as claimed by the DMK. Despite being part of the DMK front, Shanmugam has been critical of the state govt. On Tuesday, Shanmugam called DMK govt 'capitalist' and said the DMK cannot win on its own. Meanwhile, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan also said that it was natural for any party to aim for more seats. "But, ultimately, the DMK would allot an appropriate number of seats," he said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Fake police steal gold worth 6L from elderly woman
1 2 Pune: Two conmen, posing as police personnel, stole gold jewellery worth Rs6.24 lakh from an elderly woman in Warje after telling her to remove it for her safety. Under the pretext of helping her keep the jewellery safely in her handbag, the duo diverted the woman's attention and fled. The incident occurred at Warje on Tuesday around 5.30pm when the woman was on her way to a temple in the area. The woman later approached the Warje Malwadi police and lodged a complaint. The police registered a case under sections 204 (personating a public servant) and 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An officer from the Warje Malwadi police told TOI that on Tuesday evening, the woman, aged 61, was walking towards a temple near her house to offer prayers. "While walking on the footpath, a man approached her and told her one person was calling her. There was another man standing near the entrance of a hall along the road," the officer said. He said that the duo told the woman that they were police constables. The duo also told the woman that a murder happened in the area and she should remove her gold jewellery for safety. "Believing them, the woman removed her four gold bangles, gold chain, and Mangalsutra, all collectively worth Rs6.24 lakh. She was trying to keep it in her small purse. As the bangles were not fitting in the purse, the duo offered her help to keep it 'safe' in her bag," he said. The officer said that one of them took the purse and bangles from the woman's hand, pretended to keep it in the bag, and left. "The woman then went to the temple. When she checked her bag, she did not find her purse and the jewellery. She realised that she was duped and came to us," the officer said. He said that the police have collected the CCTV footage from the area. "Our investigations are on," he said.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
Delhi Police deports 134 illegal Bangladeshi nationals through multiple drives
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): The South District Police of Delhi have deported a total of 134 Bangladeshi nationals, including 38 women and 43 children, following 14 intensive enforcement drives conducted between December 27, 2024, and June 10, 2025, according to a release on Wednesday. According to the release, the operation, aimed at addressing growing concerns over unauthorised foreign nationals, involved multiple teams targeting slums and suspected areas to verify voter IDs and Aadhaar cards for identifying illegal immigrants. Responding to escalating concerns about the unauthorised stay of Bangladeshi migrants, the South District Police launched a sustained campaign, leveraging local intelligence networks, sensitised informants, and developed human intelligence to trace and apprehend those residing illegally. Efforts also focused on mapping and monitoring entry routes commonly exploited by undocumented immigrants entering India. Special Operation Units and Police Stations worked in close coordination, gathering actionable intelligence that led to swift detentions of individuals overstaying visas or lacking valid travel documents. The successful drives included several key arrests under specific cases. Five Bangladeshi nationals were arrested at PS Sangam Vihar under Sections 318(2)/319(2)/337/61(1)(A) of BNS and 34 Aadhar Act. Two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested at PS Fatehpur Beri under Sections 318(2)/139(2)/61(1)(A) of BNS, the 14 Foreigner Act and the 34 Aadhar Act. Eight Bangladeshi nationals were arrested at PS Lodhi Colony under Sections 318(2)/319(2)/337 of the BNS, the 14 Foreigners Act, and the 34 Aadhar Act and one Bangladeshi national at PS Maidan Garhi under Section 25/54/59 of the Arms Act. The police have appealed to the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals suspected of illegal stay in their vicinity, with a statement assuring that information provided to local police will be treated confidentially and may prevent unlawful activities. Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Market Welfare Associations (MWAs) have been urged to support law enforcement by spreading awareness and cooperating in verification drives to maintain safe and law-abiding neighbourhoods. (ANI)
