Anna University sexual assault case: Accused Gnanasekaran found guilty by Chennai Court

Chennai: A lower court in Chennai has found Gnanasekaran guilty of sexually assaulting a student on the Anna University campus in December 2024. The verdict, delivered by Chennai Mahila Court Judge Rajalakshmi on Wednesday, 28 May, comes just five months after the incident. Gnanasekaran was convicted on all 11 charges filed against him. The sentencing is scheduled for 2 June.

Details of the assault

On the night of 23 December 2024, Gnanasekaran allegedly assaulted a female student while she was on campus with her boyfriend. Police reports state that he detained the student illegally for 40 minutes, recorded video footage of her and her boyfriend, and then used the recordings to blackmail her.

The survivor, along with a university professor from the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) committee, filed a police complaint the same day. Gnanasekaran was arrested by Greater Chennai Police on 25 December.

Accused’s criminal history and charges

Gnanasekaran, a known history-sheeter from Kotturpuram, Chennai, had seven previous cases pending under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). For this case, he was charged under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 63(a) and 64(1) for rape, and 75(1)(ii) and (iii) for sexual harassment.

The Tamil Nadu government also applied the Goondas Act, allowing preventive detention without bail for up to one year.

Political controversy

Following his arrest, photographs emerged showing Gnanasekaran with leaders of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), triggering political debate.

While the DMK initially denied any association, opposition parties circulated images suggesting he held a position within the party.

Investigation and trial

The Madras High Court ordered a special investigation team (SIT) on 28 December, comprising senior IPS officers Bhukya Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and S Brinda.

The SIT submitted a detailed chargesheet to the Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Saidapet on 25 February. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Mahila Court in Allikulam.

Privacy breach and FIR leak controversy

The case drew further criticism when the Tamil Nadu police uploaded the First Information Report (FIR) related to the assault on their public website, revealing sensitive details about the survivor. Legal experts, activists, and the public condemned the breach of privacy.

Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun later explained that the leak was due to a technical glitch during the transition from IPC to BNS systems. He noted that FIRs in sensitive cases are usually auto-locked in the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems (CCTNS).

A separate investigation has been launched to identify the source of the leak.