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Anna University case: How convict, now awarded life term, sexually assaulted student on campus
A Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced the lone convict, A Gnanasekaran, to life imprisonment without remission in the 2024 Anna University campus sexual assault case. On December 23, a 19-year-old student, who was with her male friend, was sexually assaulted by the 37-year-old biryani vendor on the campus of her varsity. The case led to a huge outcry over the safety of students and triggered a political slugfest read more
A court in Tamil Nadu has awarded life imprisonment to the lone convict in the 2024 Anna University campus rape case. The Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday (June 2) announced its verdict, sentencing A Gnanasekaran to a life term without remission.
The rape case had created a massive outrage in Tamil Nadu, gaining national limelight after the survivor's identity was leaked. It also sparked a political slugfest, with the opposition attacking the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the law and order situation in the state.
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But what's the case? We will explain.
Rape on campus rocks Anna University
On the night of December 23 last year, a 19-year-old student of the Anna University in Chennai was raped in the university campus.
The survivor was sitting with her male friend on the campus when Gnanasekaran, 37, confronted them, Indian Express reported, citing the Tamil Nadu police. He pretended to record the video of the pair and blackmailed them with the footage.
Gnanasekaran, who ran a biryani outlet on a sidewalk near the campus, then went on to sexually assault the student in a secluded spot. He also filmed the rape on his mobile phone.
Gnanasekaran tried to blackmail her by threatening to send the footage to her father and the college authorities if she failed to heed his demands.
The student, however, did not stay silent. She, with the support of her family and college, approached the Kotturpuram All Women Police Station the next day. Gnanasekaran was arrested on December 25.
Gnanasekaran, convicted in the Anna University sexual assault case, being escorted by the police after he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mahila Court, in Chennai, June 2, 2025. PTI
The incident triggered a huge uproar in the varsity over the safety of women on campus. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) organised protests, demanding justice for the survivor.
FIR leaked, SIT formed
After the First Information Report (FIR) with the survivor's details and identity was uploaded on the official website and then leaked to mediapersons, the case drew national attention.
The Madras High Court took suo motu cognisance and chided the Tamil Nadu Police over the leak of the FIR and its tone that was perceived as shaming the survivor.
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The High Court also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior women IPS officers. The SIT filed a 100-page chargesheet on February 24.
It named history-sheeter Gnanasekar as the lone accused. As per NDTV sources, the convict had also confessed to carrying out thefts at several houses in Chennai during questioning. More than 100 sovereigns of gold and a luxury SUV were recovered from him.
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Political storm over the rape case
The rape case led to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) targeting the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government over the law and order.
The issue took a political turn after BJP members shared photos of Gnanasekaran with Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The DMK had dismissed the pictures, with CM Stalin reportedly asserting he was only a supporter, not a member of the party.
The then BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai had publicly whipped himself outside his house in Coimbatore to protest the sexual assault at Anna University.
#WATCH | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai self-whips himself as a mark of protest to demand justice in the Anna University alleged sexual assault case. — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2024
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'Look at the state of the law & order in the state. A repeated offender like Gnanasekaran (the accused) was not on the rowdy list because of his connection with DMK leaders,' he alleged at a press conference last December.
The AIADMK had held a road roko protest near the university campus in Chennai.
Rape convict sentenced
The Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission. Last week, the court found him guilty on 11 charges, including rape, abduction, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.
As per The Hindu, Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi said while pronouncing the sentence: 'For the charge under Section 64(1) [rape] of the BNS, you are sentenced to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission. Also, a Rs 25,000 fine is imposed under this section, and if you default to pay the fine, you will have to undergo simple imprisonment for three months.'
Gnanasekaran has been convicted separately on different charges, while his sentences will run concurrently. He has to pay a total fine of Rs 90,000.
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The judge also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay compensation to the survivor, reported The Hindu.
The defence previously urged for leniency, citing Gnanasekaran's aged mother and young daughter. However, the prosecution had opposed the plea, calling for maximum punishment.
The court upheld the prosecution's argument, ruling the sexual assault 'a premeditated act exploiting institutional vulnerabilities.'
The survivor continues her studies at the varsity.
With inputs from agencies
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