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New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Kamal Haasan welcomes verdict in Anna University sexual assault case
CHENNAI: Actor Kamal Haasan extended his support to the verdict given by the Special Court for Women in the Anna University sexual assault case. Taking to his official handle of X, he wrote, "I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of the Special Court for Women, which has sentenced the accused in the Anna University student rape case to 30 years of life imprisonment without parole. Any act against women can never be tolerated or condoned. This verdict has confirmed the hope that such crimes will be met with fearsome punishment." Earlier today, a Chennai Mahila court awarded a life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000 to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted of sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last year. Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Anna Varsity Case: Rape convict gets 30 years in jail
Chennai: A Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced A Gnanasekaran, the sole accused in the 2024 Anna University campus rape case, to life imprisonment without the possibility of remission. The court ordered that he must serve a minimum of 30 years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 90,000 on him. Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi handed down the sentence four days after convicting Gnanasekaran 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.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Anna University sexual assault case: Convict Gnanasekar gets life imprisonment for 30 years without remission
The lone convict in the Anna University sexual assault case, 37-year-old Gnanasekar, was sentenced to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission, by the Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday. The crime occurred on the evening of December 23, 2024, when the survivor, a 19-year-old student, and her friend were seated near a building in the Anna University campus. Gnanasekar, a resident of Kottur who ran a biryani outlet, entered the campus that evening. Upon seeing them, he pretended to be a university staff member and threatened to report them to the management and have a transfer certificate issued. He then separated them and took the woman student to a secluded spot, where he sexually assaulted her. He also videographed the act on his phone, the prosecution stated. The Madras High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising women officers, probed the sexual assault case, which had sparked massive outrage in the State, and had named history-sheeter Gnanasekar as the lone accused in charge sheet. He had already been involved in several other crimes. Gananasekar was charged under Sections 329 (criminal trespass), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 87 (kidnapping), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 75(2) (demand for sexual favour), 76 (assault or use of criminal force on woman with intent to disrobe), 64(i) (rape), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and 238(b) (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and two provisions of the Information Technology Act and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act. Last week, the Mahila Court held Gnanasekar guilty for offences under 11 sections, including Section 64(1) (rape) of the BNS, and convicted him under those provisions. The court had scheduled the pronouncement of the sentence on Monday. Gnanasekar was brought to the court campus in a police van from the Central Prison at Puzhal, on Monday, amidst tight security. He was produced before the trial court (Mahila Court) judge M. Rajalakshmi. The judge read out his sentence as he was standing in the box: 'For the charge under Section 64(1) of the BNS, you are sentenced to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission. Also, a ₹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.' The court gave different sentences, ranging from one month to 10 years imprisonment for the conviction, and imposed more fines, under 10 other sections of the BNS, Information Technology Act, and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act. All the sentences of imprisonment imposed were ordered to run concurrently. The court imposed a total fine of ₹90,000. The judgment read: 'According to the available oral evidence from the victim and scientific evidence available, it is proved on the side of the prosecution that the word 'Sir' used by the accused is order to make the victim child to believe him as the university staff and to threaten her to submit herself for his lust and nothing else. Accordingly, this court came to the conclusion that no other person except the accused according to the evidence available before this court either directly or indirectly involved in this occurrence [sic].' 'From the oral evidence given by the prosecution witness [the survivor], which is corroborated by her previous statement, and the oral evidence given by other witnesses... the evidence given by other witnesses examined on the side of the prosecution and the documents and material objects produced on the side of the prosecution, the prosecution has proved all the 11 charges [sic],' the judgment further read. The Mahila Court judge noted that the High Court had awarded a compensation of ₹25 lakh to the survivor as interim compensation to be paid by the Tamil Nadu government immediately to her for the lapses by the police department in the FIR leak case, and for the trauma undergone by her and her family. The Mahila Court also ordered that the interim compensation granted by the High Court will not be a bar for the survivor to claim further compensation under relevant laws. 'Taking consideration of the mental agony of the victim due to the offence of rape committed on her in the campus of her educational Institute itself, that too in a barbaric manner, this court found, it is lawful to award compensation to her in addition to the interim compensation awarded to her for leakage of FIR [sic],' the judge observed. COVID-19 in India: India reports four more COVID-19 deaths; active cases nearing 4,000 India reported four more COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours — a 22-year-old woman from Delhi, a 25-year-old man from Tamil Nadu, 44-year-old man from Maharashtra and one death in Kerala — with the fatalities this year standing at 32, according to the Health Ministry on Monday. The number of active cases neared 4,000. Kerala and Maharashtra recorded the largest number of deaths — with eight fatalities each — followed by Delhi and Karnataka with four each. Deaths have also been reported from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Kerala has reported the largest number of cases at 1,435, followed by Maharashtra 506, Delhi 483 and West Bengal 331. 'Delhi has reported the death of a 22-year-old woman with old treated pulmonary Koch's/ post tuberculosis lung disease/ bilateral lower respiratory tract infection, while the 25-year-old man who died in Tamil Nadu had bronchial asthma, severe acute tubular injury and incidental COVID positive status,'' the Ministry said. It said the 44-year-old man who died in Maharashtra had severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with dilated aortic regurgitation and was COVID-19 positive. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted that since mid-February 2025, global SARS-CoV-2 activity had been increasing, with the test positivity rate reaching 11%, levels that had not been observed since July 2024. 'This rise is primarily observed in countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions. Since early 2025, global SARS-CoV-2 variant trends have slightly shifted. Circulation of LP.8.1 has been declining, and reporting of NB.1.8.1, a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM), is increasing, reaching 10.7% of global sequences reported as of mid-May,'' noted WHO global situation report. It added that the recent increases in SARS-CoV-2 activity were broadly consistent with levels observed during the same period last year, however, there still lacked a clear seasonality in SARS-CoV-2 circulation, and surveillance was limited. WHO has recommended continued monitoring as an essential element to controlling COVID spread. It had also advised all member-states to continue applying a risk-based, integrated approach to managing COVID-19. 'As part of comprehensive COVID-19 control programmes, vaccination remains a key intervention for preventing severe disease and death, particularly among risk groups,'' added WHO. Kamal Haasan moves Karnataka High Court for 'Thug Life' release after boycott calls A co-producer of Tamil movie Thug Life has on Monday filed a petition in the High Court of Karnataka seeking directions to restrain the State authorities and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) from taking any step directly or indirectly to restrict distribution, exhibition/screening of the movie in all languages across Karnataka. The petition has been filed by Chennai-based Raajkamal Films International, through its CEO V. Narayanan. The petition has been filed citing the public announcement made by the representatives of the KFCC that the movie would not be allowed to be exhibited in Karnataka till actor Kamal Haasan tenders an apology for making a controversial remark against Kannada language during the launch of film's audio in Chennai recently. The movie is slated for worldwide release on June 5. However, it has been pointed out in the petition that the producers have not received any official communication on KFCC's decision to ban the movie though media statements were made on not allowing screening of the movie in Karnataka. Claiming that a remark made by Ms. Haasan that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' during the audio launch programme was 'misrepresented' or 'misquoted' by certain individuals and groups leading to controversy resulting in protest by various pro-Kannada organisations and KFCC's decision to ban the movie in Kannada till Mr. Haasan apologised for his remark. It has been pointed out in the film the Mr. Haasan had already clarified that the remark was 'only out of love and affection, to demonstrate the camaraderie between Tamilians and Kannadigas, and that he believes love will always triumph.' In fact, it has been stated in the petition, that Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, who was present at the audio launch when, had 'publicly endorsed and defended the remark made by Mr. Haasan' besides clarifying that Mr. Haasan has always spoken highly of the Kannada language and culture. Stating that only the Central Board of Film Certification, which has already permitted public screening of 'Thug Life, has the power to ban screening of the movie, it has been contended in the petition that KFCC's action infringes the fundamental right of the petitioner to screen the movie. Pointing out that the state authorities have not responded to the representation given seeking protection for screening of the movie, the petitioner has sought direction to the State authorities to provide necessary security and protection for smooth exhibition of the movie. The petitioner has also sought a direction to KFCC not to make any statement on banning distribution and release of the movie. Sixteen Maoists surrender in Sukma Sixteen Naxalites, including six carrying a collective cash reward of ₹25 lakh, surrendered in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Monday, said a senior police officer. Nine among those who surrendered belong to the Kerlapenda village panchayat. The group surrender has made the panchayat eligible for the Elvad Panchayat Scheme of the State government. Under this scheme announced as part of the new surrender and rehabilitation policy unveiled earlier this year, any village where all wanted Naxals surrender is declared Naxal-free and receives grants for development projects worth ₹1 crore. Kerlapanda is the second such village in Sukma district after Badesatti, which was declared Naxal-free in April after the surrender of 11 lower-rung Naxalites from there. Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said that 16 cadres, including a woman, turned themselves in before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force officials citing disappointment with the 'hollow' and 'inhuman' Maoist ideology and atrocities by the Naxals on local tribals. India offers an excellent opportunity for investment in aviation sector: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India's fast-growing aviation sector offers an excellent investment opportunity for leading global companies. Addressing the AGM of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in New Delhi, Mr. Modi said the country aims to increase the size of the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) segment to $4 billion by 2030. Emphasising that India has an open and supportive policy ecosystem, Mr. Modi said all efforts are being made to make the country a global manufacturing hub. India is ready for big investments in the civil aviation sector, he noted. 'We want the world to see India not just as an aviation market but also as a value chain direction is right, our speed is we are confident that we will continue to move forward rapidly,' Mr. Modi said. He further said India is investing in world-class airports and that the number of airports has increased to 162 from 74. Today, India is the world's third-largest domestic aviation market. The success of the UDAN scheme is a golden chapter in Indian civil aviation, the Prime Minister said. In Brief: Ukraine and Russia end their latest round of direct peace talks in Istanbul Delegations from Russia and Ukraine ended their latest peace talks Monday in Turkiye after just over an hour, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian state media said. Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, Zelenskyy said both sides 'exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we are preparing a new release of prisoners of the war.' Expectations were low for any breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war after a string of stunning attacks over the weekend. U.K. moving to 'war-fighting readiness', says Starmer Faced with new threats, notably from Russia, the U.K. is moving to 'war-fighting readiness', its Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said, as his government released a strategic review of its defence capabilities and challenges. As an outcome of the review, the U.K. would build up to 12 attack submarines as part of the AUKUS (Australia, U.K. and U.S.) alliance. It would spend £15 billion on nuclear warheads, £1 billion on digital capability with a new 'CyberEM Command' and undertake improvements to housing for the military.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Don't know how the Stalin govt can take credit for it," BJP's Tamilisai on Anna University sexual assault case
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India] June 2 (ANI): BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan acknowledged the swift legal process in the sexual assault case of Anna University campus, and questioned the Stalin government's claim of credit for it. She argued that they should instead take responsibility for the incident. 'He has been convicted. There should be no relaxation in his punishment. I want to mention two things- the legal process has been fast, but I don't know how the Stalin government can take credit for it. If they are taking credit for this, then who will take responsibility for the incident?' she said. She also condemned Chief Minister MK Stalin for referring to opposition leaders as 'clowns.' 'I condemn the Chief Minister's words referring to opposition leaders as clowns', she added Earlier today, a Mahila Court awarded a life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000 to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted of sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last year. Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him. Public Prosecutor Marry Jayanthi said, 'As far as the Gnanasekaran case is concerned, we have got the verdict today. 30 years without remission have been provided. SIT enquired into the incident; they filed a charge sheet at the Mahila court. April 30 for the first time, affected women took the stage. All evidence was provided, as it was satisfactory for the court; today this judgement has come. The highest punishment is a life sentence for this case, and it has been provided.' 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. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday hailed the state police, investigating officers and government lawyers for the expeditious verdict in the Anna University sexual assault case. In a post on X, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that the state's police swiftly pursued the case and justice was delivered in just five months. Stalin said he had told the police to prevent crime, and if any incident occurs, no criminal should escape. The criminals, he said, should be investigated expeditiously and punished. He also slammed the opposition parties who had made allegations against the ruling DMK over the incident and said attempts were made to play 'cheap politics'. He said the government has shattered the 'slander' being spread. 'We will always ensure justice and the safety of women,' he said. (ANI)
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First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. ALSO READ: Ankita Bhandari's killers get life term: How Uttarakhand receptionist was killed for refusing to 'serve' VIPs 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 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD '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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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
