Latest news with #TamilNaduProhibitionofHarassmentofWomanAct
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- 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.
Scroll.in
02-06-2025
- Scroll.in
Man convicted in Anna University sexual assault case sentenced to life imprisonment
A Chennai court on Monday sentenced the man convicted of sexually assaulting a student on the campus of Anna University to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission, Live Law reported. The man, Gnanasekaran, has also been directed to pay a fine of Rs 90,000. On May 28, he was found guilty on all 11 charges filed against him and convicted under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to rape and sexual harassment, in addition to sections of the Information Technology Act and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act. Gnanasekaran is accused of having filmed the student and her partner on the university campus and threatening to leak the footage to the dean and the couple's parents if they did not comply with his demands. The incident occurred on December 23, when Gnanasekaran allegedly took the complainant to a remote location where he first blackmailed her before sexually assaulting her. The first information report filed in the case stated that he had illegally detained the student for 40 minutes. Gnanasekaran, who ran a roadside eatery near the campus, was arrested by the Greater Chennai Police two days after the assault. The police had said that at least seven other cases were pending against him. The case had sparked a controversy after the FIR based on the complaint was leaked online, revealing the identity of the student. Stating that this had caused the student 'trauma and humiliation', the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government on December 28 to provide Rs 25 lakh in compensation to her. The bench also called it a serious failure on the part of the police. In addition, the High Court had constituted an all-woman Special Investigation Team to probe the case. The High Court had also expressed shock over the language used in the FIR, stating that it amounted to victim-shaming, and directed the Tamil Nadu Police to conduct a departmental inquiry into the leak. However, the Supreme Court in January stayed the High Court order on the inquiry. Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, representing the Tamil Nadu government, had attributed the leak to a technical glitch.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- The Hindu
Anna University sexual assault case: Mahila Court convicts lone accused Gnanasekar
Pronouncing the verdict in the case involving the sexual assault of a student from Anna University in December 2024, the Mahila Court on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) convicted the lone accused, Gnanasekar, 37, after finding him guilty of the offences he was charged with. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on June 2. Earlier on Wednesday, Gnanasekar was brought in a police van from the Central Prison, Puzhal, amidst tight security to the Madras High Court campus, where the trial court is located. He was produced before the Mahila Court judge M. Rajalakshmi. The judge read out the judgment, holding him guilty for offences he was charged under 11 sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Information Technology Act, and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act. The judge said the quantum of punishment would be pronounced on June 2. Prosecution's case The prosecution said the incident occurred on December 23, 2024, when the survivor, a 19-year-old student, and her friend were out on the Anna University campus. The accused Gnanasekar lived with his family at Kottur and and ran a roadside biryani outlet on the service road near Adyar Bridge. He was already involved in several criminal activities. At 7.10 p.m. on December 23, 2024, he entered the Anna University campus via Madras University campus, and set his mobile phone on flight mode. While getting in, he pretended to speak to someone over the phone, though there was was evidence that the device was already on flight mode. At 7.45 pm, he spotted the student and her friend who were seated on the stairs of a building on the campus. Gnanasekar hit her friend on the head and snatched the woman's identity card. He threatened the duo, saying he had shot a video of them and that he would show it to the dean, warden, and other staff members of the university. He also threatened to get the authorities to issue a transfer certificate based on the video. As they pleaded to leave them alone, he asked her to stay where she was and took her friend aside.A few minutes later, he came back and told her that her friend had been caught by the university staff. He then asked her to leave her phone on flight mode, took her to a secluded spot, and sexually assualted her. He also videographed the incident on his phone, according to the chargesheet. The Madras High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising women officers, had probed the sexual assault case, which had sparked massive outrage, and had named history-sheeter Gnanasekar as the lone accused. Gnanasekar was charged under 11 provisions of the law, including Sections 331(6) (lurking trespass by night), 126(2) (wrongfully restraining any person), 140(4) (kidnapping in order to subject a person to grievous hurt), 75(2) (sexual harassment) read with 64(1) (rape), among other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technolgy Act, and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC raps Tamil actor-turned-politician for posts against journalist on social media
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up Tamil actor-turned-politician S V Shekher over his reported derogatory posts on social media against a journalist and said he "carried out a nasty campaign against a woman". A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh which granted him exemption from surrender till further hearing observed he never apologised for his conduct to the journalist. "First of all, we are surprised you are pursuing this. It was a nasty campaign you carried out against a woman. You attacked her dignity directly, and in such a brazen and abrupt manner," the bench said. Justice Kant told advocate Balaji Srinivasan, appearing for the actor, the actor might also be harassing other women, but was confronted by a journalist association this time. Srinivasan said the actor forwarded the message without reading it and deleted it within an hour and apologised. Justice Kant, however, referred to the high court observing in its order that he had never tendered an apology and issued a statement only as a formality. The top court passed the order after Shekher's counsel sought four weeks' time to approach the complainant and persuade her to accept his unconditional apology. On January 2, the Madras High Court dismissed Shekher's appeal against a one-month imprisonment imposed on him by a special court for posting a derogatory message against the journalist on social media. The high court confirmed the special court's punishment. It, however, suspended the sentence for 90 days to enable Shekher to approach the Supreme Court in appeal. The matter stems from a post shared by the actor-turned-politician on social media in 2018 which allegedly contained derogatory remarks against the woman journalist. Based on a complaint filed by a journalist association, the police registered an FIR against him under various sections of the IPC and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act. On February 19, last year, the special court held that the prosecution proved the offence against the accused and sentenced him to one month's imprisonment and imposed a fine.
