A special court in Chennai on Monday delivered the sentence in the high-profile Anna University sexual abuse case. Gnanasekaran, the accused who had earlier been found guilty on all eleven charges, was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment and fined ₹90,000.
The judgment was pronounced by Judge Rajalakshmi, who presided over the special court handling the case. The sentencing followed a verdict delivered earlier in the week by a Mahila Court, which found Gnanasekaran guilty on all counts based on substantial documentary and forensic evidence.
The incident in question took place on the night of December 23, 2023, around 8 pm. Gnanasekaran, a Kottur resident who operated a biryani stall near the Anna University campus, allegedly entered the premises and sexually assaulted a female student in a secluded area. He also reportedly assaulted her male friend during the attack.
According to police reports, Gnanasekaran allegedly recorded the assault on video and used the footage to blackmail the victims. He was arrested soon after by the Greater Chennai Police and remanded to judicial custody.
Following his arrest, photographs emerged showing Gnanasekaran with members of the ruling DMK party, sparking a political controversy. Although the DMK initially denied any links to him, opposition parties circulated images suggesting he held a position within the party. BJP state president K Annamalai alleged that Gnanasekaran was an office-bearer in the DMK’s student wing and shared photos of him with DMK leaders.
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Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Regupathi refuted these claims, asserting that Gnanasekaran was not a party functionary. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also addressed the issue in the Legislative Assembly, stating, “I assure you that the one arrested in the Chennai student case is not a member of DMK. He is a DMK sympathiser, we don’t deny it.”
Before the trial, Gnanasekaran had filed a petition seeking discharge from the case, arguing that the police lacked sufficient evidence and that his arrest was based merely on suspicion. The Tamil Nadu Police filed a counter affidavit, and the court heard arguments from both sides.
In compliance with directions from the Madras High Court, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the case thoroughly. The SIT eventually filed a chargesheet in the Mahila Court, framing charges under multiple laws, including provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act.
Ahead of sentencing, Gnanasekaran had pleaded for leniency, citing his mother’s ill health. However, the court proceeded with the sentencing, citing the gravity of the offences.
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