Chennai, June 2: In a landmark judgment, a Chennai Mahila Court on Monday sentenced Gnanasekaran, the accused in the Anna University sexual assault case, to life imprisonment for a minimum of 30 years without the possibility of remission. He was also fined ₹90,000.
The sentencing comes days after Mahila Court Judge M. Rajalakshmi found Gnanasekaran guilty on May 28, convicting him on 11 charges related to the sexual assault of a second-year student on the university campus in December last year.
Public Prosecutor Mary Jayanthi said, "The court has delivered the strictest possible punishment—30 years without remission. The SIT conducted a thorough investigation and filed the chargesheet promptly. With strong evidence presented and survivors testifying, justice has been served."
The assault, which occurred on the Anna University campus, had triggered widespread outrage. Following an investigation, Chennai Police arrested Gnanasekaran, who was later remanded and tried in the Mahila Court.
Reacting to the verdict, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin praised the swift response of the police and legal teams. In a statement posted on X, he noted that the case had been pursued diligently and justice delivered within five months. “I have directed the police to ensure that no criminal escapes. If a crime happens, it must be investigated and punished swiftly. This case sets an example,” he said. Stalin also criticized opposition parties for politicizing the incident, claiming that they attempted to spread misinformation. “We will always stand for justice and women’s safety,” he added.
Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami also welcomed the verdict. However, he accused the ruling DMK of attempting to shield the accused, claiming that Gnanasekaran was a DMK sympathizer. “The DMK tried every trick to protect him, but people’s protests and social media outrage ensured he was brought to justice. The AIADMK kept its promise to be the voice of the victim,” he said.
