A Chennai Mahila court on Friday sentenced Gnanasekaran, a biryani vendor and supporter of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), to life imprisonment in a high-profile sexual assault case that took place on the Anna University campus in December last year.
The court found Gnanasekaran guilty on all 11 charges, including rape, sexual assault, intimidation and kidnapping. The accused had earlier pleaded for leniency, citing his responsibilities toward his elderly mother and eight-year-old daughter.
The assault occurred on 23 December when Gnanasekaran entered the university campus, assaulted a male friend of the 19-year-old survivor, and then sexually assaulted the young woman, filming the act for later blackmail. He was arrested on the same day.
The ruling has sparked a sharp political row in Tamil Nadu. AIADMK leader and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami accused the MK Stalin-led government of rushing the investigation to shield other alleged DMK associates.
He questioned why the investigation excluded the person referred to as “Sir” in the FIR, suggesting that the full extent of the involvement had not been disclosed.
“Why was the case wrapped up so quickly and only Gnanasekaran held responsible? Who is the ‘Sir’ mentioned? Once the AIADMK returns to power, the truth will come out,” Palaniswami said, alleging a political cover-up.
Chief Minister MK Stalin hit back, defending the police investigation and calling the court’s verdict a testament to the efficiency of the Tamil Nadu Police. In a statement on social media platform X, Stalin said the prompt conviction within five months and praise from the High Court demonstrated the integrity of the legal process.
“The women’s court has commended the police for their excellent handling of the case. This verdict has exposed those who pretend to care for women’s safety, only to exploit such tragedies for political gain,” Stalin said.
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