Anna University Sexual Assault Case: Chennai Court Sentences Accused to Minimum 30 Years in Jail

A Sessions Court in Chennai has sentenced the sole accused in the Anna University sexual assault case to life imprisonment, with a minimum jail term of 30 years, and a fine of ₹90,000. The verdict was delivered by Sessions Judge M. Rajalakshmi.

On May 28, the court found the accused, Gnanasekaran, guilty of sexually assaulting a second-year engineering student inside the Anna University campus in Chennai. He was convicted under several sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, as well as Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act.

Incident Details:

The incident happened on December 23, 2024, when the victim and her male friend were on the university campus. Gnanasekaran, who ran a biryani stall nearby, allegedly recorded a video of the couple, then attacked the male friend. After the friend escaped, he sexually assaulted the girl on campus.

Legal Action and Charges:

An FIR was filed at the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram, and Gnanasekaran was arrested. He was charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:

• Section 63(a) – Rape

• Section 64(1) – Punishment for Rape

• Section 75(1)(ii) – Request or demand for sexual favours

  He was also found guilty under Section 66E of the IT Act, which deals with the violation of privacy.

Court and Public Response:

The Madras High Court had taken suo motu (on its own) notice of the case in December 2024, due to the gravity of the incident. It criticized the police for the way the FIR was written, calling it victim-blaming. The court also pointed out serious security lapses on the part of both the police and the university.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by women IPS officers was formed to handle the case. The High Court also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay an interim compensation of ₹25 lakh to the victim, saying this amount could be recovered from those responsible for the FIR leak and poor handling of the case. However, the Supreme Court later stayed this part of the High Court’s order.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) also took suo motu cognizance, condemning the FIR leak and demanding strict punishment for those involved.

Key Takeaway:

This case highlights serious concerns over campus security, police accountability, and the treatment of victims in sexual assault cases. The court's strong sentence sends a clear message on the seriousness of such crimes and the importance of handling such cases sensitively and lawfully.