Anna University Rape Case: Accused Sentenced To 30-Year Life Imprisonment

Chennai Mahila court on Monday sentenced A. Gnanasekaran, the sole accused in the Anna University rape case, to life imprisonment for at least 30 years and imposed a fine of Rs 90,000, as reported by ANI.

Representative image. (Photo credit: freepik)

Chennai Mahila court on Monday sentenced A. Gnanasekaran, the sole accused in the Anna University rape case, to life imprisonment for at least 30 years without remission and imposed a fine of Rs 90,000, as reported by ANI. 

Speaking to ANI, the accused’s advocate, BR Jayaprakash Narayanan, said that the judgment was declared last week, and the punishment details were given today.

"The court has found Gnanasekaran the accused in Anna University rape case in all the 11 sections. The judgment was declared last week, and the punishment details are given today. He has been sentenced to 30 years without remission. He has also been imposed a fine of Rs 90,000, which will go to the victim. There is a chance for us to have a better appeal. After getting documents from the court, we will appeal before an upper court," Narayanan said.

Tamil Nadu Minister Geetha Jeevan welcomed the verdict, saying that the case was resolved quickly due to the prompt action of the Tamil Nadu government.

"The sexual assault case of a student studying in Anna University campus has resulted in the conviction of the culprit within five months due to the prompt action of the Tamil Nadu government. The case that was held in the court was concluded quickly and within five months. This case, which took place on December 23rd, was resolved quickly, and the right punishment was given in the court. According to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the punishment has been given in the court. Women who are subjected to violence should come forward to file complaints," ANI quoted Jeevan as saying.

The incident took place on December 23, 2024, when the victim, a second-year engineering student of Anna University, was spending time with her male friend on campus.

Gnanasekaran approached them, threatened them with a fake video of them being intimate, and warned that he would share it with university officials to have them expelled.

He then forced the boy to leave and manipulated the girl into accompanying him to a deserted area of the campus.  Pretending that the boy was being investigated by university staff, he continued to intimidate the victim.

When she rejected his demands, Gnanasekaran allegedly sexually assaulted her and recorded the act on his mobile device.  

He subsequently took her phone number and blackmailed her by threatening to send the video to her father and college officials if she did not meet him again. However,  the girl displayed remarkable bravery by refusing to remain silent.  

With the backing of her family and college authorities, she filed a report the next day at Kotturpuram All Women Police Station.  Police arrested the accused Gnanasekaran, immediately after the complaint was filed. 

During the trial, his attorney requested a lenient sentence based on personal reasons.  However, the prosecution firmly opposed this, highlighting the heinous nature of the crime and the accused's long history of criminal offences.  

Judge Rajalakshmi, after considering both arguments, postponed the announcement of the sentence until June 2.

(With agencies' inputs)