Anna University sexual assault: Tamil Nadu special court puts convict Gunasekaran behind bars for life, no remission for 30 years
The Mahila Court in Chennai pronounced the verdict in Anna University sexual assault case on Monday and sentenced the convict, A. Gunasekaran, to life imprisonment. Gunasekaran, the sole convict in the case must also pay a fine of Rs 90,000.
Hearing the matter, Mahila Court Judge Rajalakshmi held convict Gunasekaran guilty of the charges on May 28 and posted the matter for pronouncing quantum of judgment on Monday. Gunasekaran, facing 11 charges in the case, was held guilty of all charges by the Chennai court.
The bench observed that the prosecution has proved all charges against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt. The special court, sentencing the convict for life, ruled no remission should be granted to the accused for at least 30 years.
Consultant counsel of the convict, B.R. Jayaprakash Narayanan told PTI that they will be appealing against the duration of punishment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin welcomed the judgment and lauded the state police for ensuring swift justice for the victim in the case. "The petty intentions of some who sought to gain political advantage even from the injustice done to a young woman have been completely shattered by this. In line with the recent legal amendment we introduced, which ensures that sexual offenders are not eligible for premature release, I welcome and thank the court for its verdict in this case, which has imposed rigorous imprisonment without any concessions like remission," he tweeted.
While Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami welcomed the judgment, he accused the Stalin government of trying to save Gunasekaran, allegedly a supporter of ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Palaniswami charged several questions remain unanswered and questioned why was the "sir" mentioned in the FIR not probed. Palaniswami said all answers will be made available once AIADMK forms government in the state.
The 19-year-old student was sexually assaulted on the premises of the premier technical varsity in December 2024, prompting widespread outrage from opposition parties and civil society. The Madras High Court had also rapped the Tamil Nadu police for leaking the FIR with the victim's details.
India