Anna University sexual assault case: Gnanasekaran gets life sentence, must serve minimum 30 years
A "life sentence without remission" means the sentenced person will not be eligible for any reduced sentence or early release, such as parole or remission
Anna Univ sexual assault case accused Gnanasekaran (Photo: Hemanathan)
CHENNAI: A Mahila Court here on Monday awarded a life sentence for a minimum of 30 years without remission to D Gnanasekar (37) — the sole accused in the sexual assault of a student inside Anna University campus in December last year — after he was found guilty of all 11 charges he was prosecuted for, including rape. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 90,000 on the accused, to be paid as compensation to the survivor.
A "life sentence without remission" means the sentenced person will not be eligible for any reduced sentence or early release, such as parole or remission. On May 28, five months after the incident, sessions judge M Rajalakshmi found Gnanasekar guilty and reserved the sentencing to June 2. Gnanasekar's counsel requested lenient sentencing, citing an aged mother and a daughter studying in class 8, to which the prosecution objected strongly.
"Considering the mental agony of the victim due to rape committed on her on the campus of her educational institute itself, that too in a barbaric manner, this court finds it lawful to award compensation to her in addition to the interim compensation (Rs 25 lakh) awarded to her," the court held.
The charge sheet was filed on February 24 after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) took over the probe from the Greater Chennai Police.
On December 23, 2024, the victim, a second-year engineering student, was with her male friend when Gnanasekar confronted them, threatening to share their video with the varsity authorities and get them dismissed. He then made the boy leave and took the girl to a secluded area. He told the girl that her boyfriend was being investigated by the university staff and tried to exploit her vulnerable state. When she resisted, Gnanasekar allegedly sexually assaulted her, which he also recorded on his mobile phone. He then took her phone number and threatened to send the video to her father if she failed to meet him whenever he asked, assuming it was the perfect tool to blackmail and silence her.
But as it turned out, he underestimated her strength and resilience; instead of being bogged down by the fear of stigma and scandal, she filed a complaint with Kotturpuram All Women Police Station the very next day, which led to police securing Gnanasekar, a roadside biryani vendor with a long rap sheet against his name.
AU sexual assault case: In a Nutshell
December 23, 2024: Young student sexually assaulted in AU campus; Threatened with video
December 24, 2024: Police Complaint filed
December 25, 2024: Gnanasekaran (37), a roadside biryani vendor arrested by Chennai Police
Kotturpuram AWPS (All Women Police Station) had booked the accused under eight sections including 63 (a), 64 (1) (rape), 75 (1) (sexual harassment).127 (2) of BNS (wrongful confinement), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation) and sections 67 and 67 (A) of Information Technology Act.
Case transferred to SIT comprising female IPS officers Bhukya Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal and S. Brinda by the Madras High Court.
February 24, 2025: SIT files chargesheet in AU sexual assault case. Gnanasekaran is sole accused.
May 28, 2025: Gnanasekaran found guilty. Sentencing on June 2
June 2, 2025: Mahila Court Judge M Rajalakshmi sentences Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment; Holds that the accused must undergo 30 years of life imprisonment
