Chennai: The Madras High Court today stated that the alleged sexual assault case at Anna University is being “politicised.” This remark came during a hearing in which the counsel for Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) raised concerns about the denial of police permission for a planned protest in Chennai over the incident.
“The Anna University sexual assault case is being politicised. There is no genuine focus on women’s safety,” the High Court noted.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has formed a two-member fact-finding committee, which includes retired IPS officer Praveen Dixit. The committee conducted a two-day investigation, visiting the university, meeting with the victim and her family, as well as authorities and NGOs, to assess campus security.
In a post on X, 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 incident took place on December 23, when a 19-year-old engineering student was allegedly sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus. In her complaint, the victim stated that the assailant attacked both her and her male friend, brutally assaulting the latter before dragging her into nearby shrubs where the assault occurred.
The accused, Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor, was arrested shortly after the complaint was filed. Police reports indicate that Gnanasekaran has an extensive criminal record.
In light of the public and political outcry, the Madras High Court ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) made up of three senior IPS officers to investigate the case.
