After the accused in the Anna University sexual assault case was sentenced to life imprisonment, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed, “Gratitude for verdict,” as political reactions continued to pour in following the court’s decision.
A recent verdict from a Chennai court in the Anna University case, which sentenced the accused to 30 years in prison, has ignited a contentious debate between the ruling DMK and the main Opposition, AIADMK.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin commended the Chennai Mahila court’s verdict, which sentenced Gnanasekaran to a life term for a minimum of 30 years without the possibility of remission, along with a fine of Rs.90,000.
E. Palaniswami, the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, accused the MK Stalin government of hurrying the investigation to protect other DMK leaders allegedly involved in the case.
In response, Chief Minister Stalin stated that the court had commended the police for their thorough investigation, asserting that it revealed those trying to exploit the tragic incident for political gain.
Addressing the opposition, CM Stalin added,
“Now that the verdict has been delivered, the Mahila Court too has come forward to commend the excellent work of the police in this case. The shallow-minded attempts by a few to seek political gain even from the injustice suffered by a young woman have now been completely shattered.”
He further noted,
“In line with the recent legal amendment we brought in stating that there shall be no early release for sexual offenders the court has imposed a strict sentence in this case with no provisions for remission or any other leniency. I welcome and express my gratitude for this verdict.”
In a related matter, a Mahila court in Chennai sentenced Gnanasekaran, a biryani vendor and DMK supporter, to life imprisonment for his role in a sexual assault case at Anna University that triggered widespread protest.
The court found him guilty on all 11 counts, including sexual assault, rape, intimidation, and kidnapping. Gnanasekaran had previously sought leniency, citing his obligation to care for his elderly mother and eight-year-old daughter.
The attack occurred on December 23 when Gnanasekaran entered the campus and first assaulted a friend of the 19-year-old survivor before sexually assaulting her and filming the act to use as blackmail. He was arrested on the same day.
Following the court’s decision, Palaniswami alleged that the MK Stalin government employed various tactics to shield the accused.
He claimed that the people’s movement was crucial in achieving the conviction and questioned why the investigation overlooked the involvement of another individual mentioned in the FIR.
Mr. Palaniswami stated,
“Why did the DMK government rush to conclude this case by saying that only Gnanasekaran was guilty? Who saved SIR? Once the AIADMK government is formed, all answers will be available,”
Chief Minister Stalin sharply countered this in a post on X, highlighting that the Tamil Nadu Police acted swiftly and effectively, dispelling the concerns of those pretending interest in women’s safety.
Indirectly addressing the Opposition, he remarked,
“During the trial, we have completed the Chennai student’s case fairly and expeditiously in just five months and secured a severe punishment for the culprit, much to the praise of the High Court itself. The women’s court has also come forward to praise the police for their excellent performance in this case, as the verdict has been announced. This has put to shame the thoughts of some people with limited intelligence who would seek political gain even from the injustice done to a young woman,”