In a major judgment that followed a highly publicized five-month trial, a Chennai Mahila Court has sentenced biryani vendor Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment for the brutal sexual assault of a 19-year-old student inside Anna University. The convict must serve a minimum of 30 years before any chance of parole and was also fined Rs 90,000. The crime, which took place on December 23, 2024, involved the accused trespassing into the campus, attacking the victim’s friend, sexually assaulting her, and filming the act to later blackmail her. He was apprehended on the same day.
The verdict was delivered by Judge M Rajalakshmi, who noted that the seriousness of the offenses rape, kidnapping, criminal intimidation, and trespassing warranted the maximum punishment. Despite the convict's plea for a lighter sentence citing family responsibilities, including the care of his elderly mother and young daughter, the court ruled in favor of stringent punishment based on overwhelming evidence, including a 100-page police chargesheet and testimony from 29 witnesses.
The case triggered widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu and sparked political debates. BJP state chief K Annamalai publicly protested by flogging himself and embarking on a 48-day fast, citing failure of the ruling DMK government in ensuring women's safety. He also posted an image suggesting that the convict had ties to the DMK, a claim the party denied, clarifying that Gnanasekaran was merely a supporter, not a member. AIADMK leaders also demanded accountability from the state government.
The incident led to serious concerns after the survivor’s identity was revealed via an FIR that was easily accessible online. Indian law prohibits the disclosure of sexual assault survivors’ identities. The court condemned the lapse and ordered the formation of a women-only Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe both the assault and the leak. Additionally, it directed the state government to provide Rs 25 lakh as interim relief to the survivor for the trauma caused. The ruling is being seen as a firm message against gender-based violence and institutional negligence.
