Life Imprisonment for Convict in Anna University Sexual Assault Case
Gnanasekaran has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 30 years without remission, by a Mahila Court in Chennai for sexually assaulting a student on the Anna University campus in December last year. He was convicted on May 28 under 11 charges, including Section 64(1) (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), bringing a significant judicial conclusion to the case.
Unpacked:
The conviction was based on substantial documentary and forensic evidence, including survivor testimony, CCTV footage, and a video recorded by Gnanasekaran himself of the incident. The court found that these materials proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Yes, Gnanasekaran had a long criminal history, including 15 previous cases of theft, robbery, and a past sexual assault on the Anna University campus in 2011. He was known as a repeat offender in the area.
The case exposed major lapses in campus security at Anna University. The Madras High Court ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident and criticized both the university and local authorities for their failure to ensure student safety, prompting calls for stronger security measures.
The case triggered widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu and became a flashpoint between political parties, particularly the BJP and DMK, who debated campus safety, law enforcement, and women's security. It intensified calls for reforms and heightened public scrutiny of institutional responses to sexual violence.