On Wednesday, a Chennai Mahila Court convicted Gnanasekaran in the high-profile Anna University sexual assault case from December 2024. Judge Rajalakshmi found that the charges against him were proven beyond reasonable doubt, leading to his conviction under 11 legal provisions. The case had drawn political attention, especially due to allegations linking Gnanasekaran to leaders of the ruling DMK, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The sentencing is scheduled for June 2.

Following the verdict, AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami welcomed the court’s decision via a post on X, stating his party had consistently stood with the victim and raised concerns through protests. However, he noted that many critical questions raised by the public regarding the case still remain unanswered.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai also took to X to commend the court’s ruling, emphasizing the importance of dealing with sexual violence with strict punishment. He expressed hope that a harsh sentence would serve as a deterrent.

BJP leader Nainar Nagenthiran echoed similar sentiments, hailing the court’s decision as a landmark one. He wrote that the conviction of a politically connected individual like Gnanasekaran would reinforce trust in the justice system and empower more women to come forward with complaints.

Background of the Case:

The case dates back to December 24, 2024, when a 19-year-old second-year student at Anna University was reportedly sexually assaulted on campus. The incident triggered widespread outrage and political backlash, particularly from the AIADMK and other opposition parties, who criticized the DMK-led state government's response and alleged that the investigation was being deliberately slowed.

On January 9, AIADMK legislators staged a symbolic protest in the Tamil Nadu Assembly by wearing black shirts. While Chief Minister M.K. Stalin assured support for the victim and pointed out that the accused had been promptly arrested, opposition parties continued to question the government's ability to prevent such crimes against women and children.