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.
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