The Madras High Court criticized the politicization of a sexual assault case involving a student at Anna University, indicating a lack of focus on women’s safety. The accused, Gnanasekaran, was quickly arrested. The National Commission for Women sent a team to investigate, and a Special Investigation Team was formed for a thorough inquiry into the incident.
Chennai: The Madras High Court has expressed concern over the politicization of the alleged sexual assault case at Anna University, stating that there seems to be “no genuine concentration on women’s safety.” This observation was made during a hearing where the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) raised objections to police denial of permission for a planned protest regarding the incident.
The tragic incident occurred on December 23, when a 19-year-old engineering student was allegedly sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus. In her complaint, the victim revealed that the accused had attacked her and her male friend, brutally assaulting the latter before dragging her into nearby shrubs where the assault took place.
The police quickly arrested the accused, identified as Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor with a long history of criminal offenses.
In light of the case, the National Commission for Women (NCW) dispatched a two-member fact-finding team, including retired IPS officer Praveen Dixit, to investigate. Over two days, the committee visited Anna University, met with the victim, her family, university authorities, and NGOs, and evaluated campus security measures.
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Sharing its progress on X (formerly Twitter), the NCW stated:
“To ensure accountability, the NCW assessed security at Anna University, met the SIT, and engaged stakeholders… A detailed report with actionable recommendations was prepared.”
The Madras High Court responded to public and political outcry by directing the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The SIT comprises three senior IPS officers tasked with ensuring a thorough investigation.
During the hearing, the Court observed that the case was being used for political purposes rather than focusing on genuine concerns about women’s safety. This remark was directed at the controversy surrounding the denial of police permission for protests.
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