CHENNAI – In a shocking incident reminiscent of the infamous Nirbhaya case, a second-year engineering student from Anna University was sexually assaulted on Monday evening by a man identified as Gnanasekaran, a 37-year-old repeat offender. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition parties, student organizations, and members of the public, reigniting discussions on campus safety and government accountability in Tamil Nadu.
#JUSTIN | பாலியல் வழக்கில் பெயர் விவரங்களுடன் FIR – சர்ச்சை#AnnaUniversity | #Chennai | #FIR pic.twitter.com/Vm2YAUAJEN
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) December 26, 2024
The assault took place in a secluded area of the university campus while the victim was with her boyfriend. Reports indicate that Gnanasekaran, who operates a roadside eatery near the university, filmed the couple and threatened the boyfriend to leave the scene. Following the assault, he demanded the victim’s phone number and insisted she would need to meet him whenever he called.
Authorities confirmed that Gnanasekaran has a long criminal history with at least 15 cases against him, including theft and robbery. Alarmingly, he was previously arrested in 2011 for a similar incident at Anna University. Despite this, he was able to resurface and commit further crimes.
In the aftermath of the assault, the victim courageously contacted the police via the emergency number, 100, and informed them of the incident. Although she planned to visit the police station later after completing her examination, police acted swiftly, visiting the campus and engaging with university authorities. The Kottupuram police registered a case, quickly honing in on Gnanasekaran, who was subsequently arrested. Initial police reports suggested there might have been two assailants, although further details are still forthcoming.
Footage from functioning CCTV cameras, combined with evidence gathered from the crime scene, assisted investigators in identifying the perpetrator. Tragically, many cameras in the vicinity were reported to be nonfunctional, raising serious questions about campus security. Police have collected semen samples from the scene and are in search of Gnanasekaran’s mobile phone, believing it may contain further incriminating evidence.
Meanwhile, Anna University has decided to install more CCTV cameras in the campus to prevent recurrences of such incidents. Had it done it after 2011 incident, this would not have happened
https://x.com/karthikgnath/status/1871935504666804372
In the FIR, police mentioned, “ He threatened us after taking video for physical relation or he would show it Dean, Professors to get TC? Took my father’s number saying ye would share it to him. We both begged him but he did not relent an inch. He forcefully assaulted me by saying he would share the same in social media”
Immediately after the arrests, BJP released pictures showing Gnanasekaran posing with DMK top leaders and claimed he is a DMK functionary. However, DMK outright denied this accusation.
— Bharathiyin bharatham (@bharatha_desam) December 25, 2024
As protests erupted across the campus and city, student organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and left-affiliated groups, rallied for immediate action against Gnanasekaran and called for a thorough investigation into the crime. Demonstrators carried placards denouncing the assault and demanding accountability.
களமிறங்கிய ABVP
பாலியல் துன்புறுத்தலுக்கு ஆளாக்கப்பட்ட அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவிக்கு ஆதரவாக நுழைவாயில் முன்பாக ABVP மாணவர் அமைப்பு முற்றுகைப் போராட்டம்#ABVP | #Chennai | #Tamilnadu | #TamilJanam pic.twitter.com/6z6EQLYiTv
— Tamil Janam (@TamilJanamNews) December 25, 2024
Social media has also become a platform for outrage, with notable figures such as Dr. Preethi Ramadoss, an alumnus of Anna University, asserting that such incidents have been recurring within the institution for years, often going unreported.
Being an Anna University alumni trust me this has happened several times inside the University and this is maybe the first time it's officially on the internet! pic.twitter.com/Ikm24MaeOA
— Dr. Preethi Ramadoss (@RamadossPreethi) December 25, 2024
Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai described the incident as shocking, highlighting the perceived decline in public safety under the current DMK government. He emphasized that Tamil Nadu has become a “breeding ground of unlawful activities” and demanded that the police take immediate action against the perpetrators. Annamalai’s sentiments were echoed by other BJP leaders, including SG Suryan, who labeled the incident a “blot to Chennai’s safe environment for women.”
It is absolutely shocking to hear the news of the Sexual Assault of a Student at Anna University, the premier Institute of TN, situated in the heart of Chennai, by 2 miscreants. @BJP4TamilNadu demands that the miscreants be immediately arrested.
Tamil Nadu, under the DMK…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 25, 2024
In response to the uproar, opposition leaders voiced their concerns. Edapadi K. Palaniswamy, the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, expressed his shock over the incident occurring in a prominent institution, arguing that it reflects a broader deterioration of law and order in the state. Former AIADMK IT wing head, Kovai Sathyan, raised alarm over security protocols, questioning how an outsider could enter the campus, particularly after hours.
#AnnaUniversity sexual assault case is shameful & a blot to #Chennai’s safe environment for women.
TN Police must ensure the “real” culprits are nabbed immediately & harshest punishment is obtained as early as possible.
The recent lacuna by TN Police in many similar cases… pic.twitter.com/jDzb1SuSbP
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) December 25, 2024
Public figures from various parties condemned the lax security measures at Anna University. PMK founder S. Ramadoss criticised the government for claiming that campus gates were well-guarded while allowing criminals to roam freely. Other party leaders, including NTK founder Seeman and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran, also condemned the incident and called for urgent reforms in campus safety protocols.
In light of this incident, Anna University has announced plans to install more CCTV cameras throughout the campus to prevent further occurrences of such heinous acts. Critics have noted that had the university taken these preventative measures following the 2011 incident, the recent assault might have been avoided.
AIADMK newly appointed IT wing head Kovai Sathyan in a post in X asks how an outsider could enter the campus after college hours? He might have bought liquor and used the place for their drinking joint. DMK functionary Gnanasekaran, a repeat offender, is on the continuous radar of police watch.
அண்ணா பல்கலைகழகம் கற்பழிப்பு – சில கேள்விகள்.
1. வெளி நபர் எவ்வாறு உள்ளே நுழைந்தார்?
2. வெளியே மது வாங்கி உள்ளே சென்று அருந்துவது வழக்கம், அப்படி மது அருந்தும் இடத்தில் கற்பழிப்பு.
3. திமுக நிர்வாகி எனப்படும் இந்த ஞானசேகர் காவல்துறையால் கண்காணிக்கப்படும் ஒரு தொடர் குற்றவாளி.… pic.twitter.com/TT2D6IC16t— Kovai Sathyan (@KovaiSathyan) December 25, 2024
PMK founder S Ramadoss said that the incident was proof of deteriorating law and order in the state. He said “ government claims that all gates were well guarded. Then how did criminals enger the campus? Parents of other states will now be think twice before admitting their wards to the Anna university.
NTK founder Seeman, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran and CPM secretary K Balakrishnan also condemned the incident. the fledgling TVK founder actor Joseph Vijay said Nirbhaya fund allocated every year should be used to install smart poles and CCTV cameras in places considered unsafe”.
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