In a landmark judgment that underscores the urgency of justice in sexual assault cases, the Mahila Court in Chennai sentenced A. Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment for the brutal rape of a 19-year-old student on the Anna University campus. The court ruled that Gnanasekaran must serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole, sending a strong message about the consequences of such heinous crimes.
The assault, which occurred in December 2024, shocked the state and sparked widespread outrage. The survivor, a college student, was reportedly attacked on campus premises by Gnanasekaran, a repeat offender who had multiple previous complaints lodged against him. Questions were raised about the effectiveness of police oversight, especially given his criminal history.
Political tensions heightened when opposition parties accused Gnanasekaran of being affiliated with the ruling DMK party. While Chief Minister M.K. Stalin acknowledged that the convict may have been a party sympathizer, he denied any formal association. The DMK government also faced heat over the leak of the survivor’s personal details in the FIR, which the Madras High Court condemned. In response, the court ordered a ₹25 lakh compensation for the victim and directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to further probe the lapses in the case.
The National Commission for Women also criticized the police for their negligence, pointing out that Gnanasekaran could have been apprehended earlier had previous complaints been properly acted upon.
Despite the controversy, many hailed the swift judicial process, with the verdict delivered within five months of the incident. However, the case continues to ripple through the state’s political landscape, with leaders calling for greater accountability and reforms in both policing and campus safety.
This verdict stands not only as justice for the survivor but also as a wake-up call for institutions and law enforcement agencies to prioritize the safety of students and act swiftly on early warning signs.
