In a verdict that concludes a case which outraged Tamil Nadu and triggered political tremors, a special Mahila Court in Chennai has found Gnanasekaran, a 37-year-old street food vendor, guilty of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old student on the Anna University campus in December 2024. He has been convicted under 11 legal provisions, including rape, kidnapping, sexual harassment, and several offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technology Act, and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act.
The court presided over by Judge M. Rajalakshmi, ruled that the accused’s actions were premeditated and manipulative. The judge stated that given the severity of the charges, maximum punishment would be appropriate. The convict, however, has requested leniency, citing responsibilities toward his elderly mother and eight-year-old daughter. The sentence will be announced on June 2, 2025.
The incident took place on the night of December 23, when the student and her male friend were sitting on a stairway inside the university campus. Gnanasekaran, who entered the premises through the nearby Madras University gate, had deliberately set his phone on flight mode to avoid digital tracking. Pretending to talk on the phone, he approached the pair, assaulted the male student, and falsely claimed to have recorded a video of them, threatening to report them to university authorities.
How the Incident took Place?
Using this fabricated threat, he forcibly separated the two and lured the student into a more isolated part of the campus. There, he sexually assaulted her and recorded the act on his phone for blackmail purposes. A complaint was promptly filed by the survivour with the help of a university faculty member from the PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee. Gnanasekaran was arrested on December 25 by the Greater Chennai Police.
Investigations uncovered that the accused was a repeat offender. A resident of Kotturpuram, he operated a biryani stall near the Adyar Bridge and had multiple prior cases against him, including robbery, theft, and a previous sexual assault on the same campus in 2011. During the probe, over 100 sovereigns of gold and a luxury SUV were seized from him, indicating his deep involvement in criminal activities.
Due to the gravity of the case and public pressure, the Madras High Court intervened, ordering the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) made up entirely of senior women police officers. The SIT, led by top-ranking IPS officers, conducted a thorough investigation, including CCTV analysis, survivour testimony, and forensic evidence, eventually producing a 100-page chargesheet. Testimony from 29 witnesses helped the prosecution build a strong case.
Incident Caused Polticial Issue
The case sparked a significant political uproar. The BJP, led by then state president K. Annamalai, used the incident to challenge the ruling DMK, accusing the party of harboring individuals with criminal backgrounds. Annamalai even staged a dramatic protest, flogging himself in public and announcing a 48-day fast to draw attention to what he called a collapse of law and order under the DMK government.
Photos later emerged showing Gnanasekaran with DMK leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, intensifying political accusations. While the DMK denied he was a party member, the controversy damaged the ruling party’s image, especially ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Compounding the situation was the unauthorised publication of the FIR, which included sensitive details that could expose the identity of the survivor. Although Indian law prohibits such disclosures, the document was temporarily made public through a police website. Authorities later blamed a technical error during the transition from IPC to BNS, and a separate inquiry was launched into the data breach.
Victimto Get Rs 25 Lakh Aid
The court has directed Anna University to ensure that the survivour’s education continues without interruption or financial burden. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu government was ordered to provide an interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh.
As the state awaits the sentencing on June 2, the case remains a defining moment for both Tamil Nadu’s justice system and its political climate, placing renewed focus on women’s safety, campus security, and institutional accountability.
