The Chennai Mahila Court has convicted Gnanasekaran, a 37-year-old biryani vendor and history-sheeter, on 11 charges including rape, for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old Anna University student on campus on in December 2024. The conviction followed a detailed SIT probe and widespread public and political outcry, culminating in a trial where the court held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
ஞானசேகரன் குற்றவாளி #AnnaUniversityCase| #Gnanasekaran| #DMKhttps://t.co/y4W3uzOopr pic.twitter.com/uOoOrkglMN
— Dinamalar (@dinamalarweb) May 28, 2025
On 23 December 2024, the second-year engineering student at Anna University was sexually assaulted on campus while she and her friend were spending time in a secluded area. Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor and a history-sheeter with previous sexual assault cases, confronted the student, drove her boyfriend away, and sexually assaulted her. Despite her pleading with him, citing her menstrual period and young age, he allegedly raped her. During the incident, he was heard speaking to someone he referred to as ‘Sir’, asking her to sleep with him.
Despite opposition, both AIADMK and BJP continued to demand the identity of the ‘Sir’, but no official probe was launched. The incident sparked widespread outrage and became a political storm in the state. According to the charge sheet, Gnanasekaran also recorded the act on his phone.
The All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram registered an FIR and investigated the case. Gnanasekaran was subsequently arrested. He was charged under Sections 63(a) [Rape], 64(1) [Punishment for Rape], and 75(1)(ii) [Demand or Request for Sexual Favour] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
#TamilNadu | ABVP demands justice for the 19-year-old Anna University student sexually assaulted by DMK-linked D. Gnanasekaran, and calls for the release of detained students following peaceful protests.#ABVP #AnnaUniversity pic.twitter.com/B50Utl6a0X
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) December 27, 2024
After hearing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitions filed by advocates R Varalakshmi (AIADMK) and A Mohandas (BJP), a special division bench comprising Justices S M Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayanan (sitting in a special session) stated, “This Court found several lapses both on the part of the police officials and the Anna University administration and formed an opinion that the investigation must be handed over to the SIT.”
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprises B Sneha Prasad, Ayman Jamal, and S Brinda, all serving as Deputy Commissioners of Police in Chennai and Salem. The National Commission for Women also took suo motu cognisance, calling for stricter punishments and action against those who leaked FIR details to the public.
The High Court strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu police for the victim-blaming tone in the FIR and noted serious lapses on the part of both the police and the University. It expressed its displeasure over the FIR leak, calling it a serious lapse that traumatised the victim and her family. The Court directed the State to pay an interim compensation of Rs25 lakh to the victim, recoverable from those responsible for the dereliction of duty and the FIR leak. This part of the order was later stayed by the Supreme Court.
The SIT filed a chargesheet in the case on 24 February this year, naming history-sheeter Gnanasekaran as the lone accused.
After hearing the submissions, Mahila Court Judge M Rajalakshmi declared that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge read out the judgment, finding him guilty of offences under 11 sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. The quantum of punishment is to be pronounced on 2 June.
The prosecution has sought the maximum sentence, arguing that the crime was grave and had a deep societal impact. Gnanasekaran, who was present in court, pleaded for leniency, claiming he was the sole breadwinner of his family.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin posted on X, hailing the verdict. He said, “I continuously tell the police department that there should be no incidents of crime, and in case such things happen, no perpetrator of crimes should escape; probe and trial should be expeditious and punishment must be secured for the offenders.”
சென்னை மாணவிக்கு இழைக்கப்பட்ட அநீதிக்கு எதிராக வழக்கைத் துரிதமாக நடத்தி, ஐந்தே மாதத்தில் நீதியைப் பெற்றுத் தந்துள்ளது நமது காவல்துறை. விசாரணை அதிகாரிகளுக்கும் அரசு வழக்கறிஞர்களுக்கும் மாண்பமை நீதிமன்றத்துக்கும் நன்றி!
காவல்துறையினரிடம் நான் தொடர்ந்து கூறுவது: “குற்றம் நடக்கக்…
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) May 28, 2025
Social media activists credit former TN BJP leader K Annamalai’s sustained efforts for securing justice for the victim and punishment for the accused, arguing that otherwise, the accused might have been shielded by the current political dispensation.
அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழக பிரச்சனையும், அண்ணாமலை அண்ணனின் போராட்டமும்.!🧡🔥#AnnaUniversity | #Annamalai pic.twitter.com/Ui3AoAHgqh
— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) May 28, 2025
TN BJP chief Nainar Nagendran said, “We hail the historic verdict in the most sensational case of the Anna University student’s sexual assault that rocked Tamil Nadu—particularly as the brother of Arivalayam was convicted in the case…”
தமிழகத்தையே உலுக்கிய சென்னை அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவியின் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை வழக்கில் @arivalayam-த்தின் உடன்பிறப்பான ஞானசேகரன் குற்றவாளி என்பதை உறுதிபடுத்திய சென்னை மகளிர் நீதிமன்றத்தின் வரலாற்று சிறப்பு வாய்ந்த தீர்ப்பை மனதார வரவேற்று மகிழ்கிறேன்.
பெண்களின் மீது வன்முறை… pic.twitter.com/3aBw4SWed2
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) May 28, 2025
The main opposition AIADMK posted on X, saying, “Anna University sexual assault case: AIADMK welcomes the verdict but says questions remain unanswered.”
பழம்பெருமைமிக்க அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் மாணவியை பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்த திமுக நிர்வாகி ஞானசேகரனை குற்றவாளி என்று தீர்ப்பளித்தது மூலம் சட்டத்தின் மீதான நம்பிக்கையை காப்பாற்றி இருக்கிறது சென்னை மகளிர் நீதிமன்றம்.
பெண்களுக்கு எதிரான குற்றங்கள் அதிகரித்து வரும் வேளையில்,… https://t.co/3we1aPOqoN— KP Ramalingam Ex-MP (@KPRamalingamMP) May 28, 2025
Senior BJP functionary K P Ramalingam posted on X: “The verdict of the Mahila Court convicting the accused, a DMK functionary, has reinforced faith in the judiciary.”
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