In a big development in the Anna University sexual assault case, Chennai Mahila court on Wednesday pronounced judgment. The court declared Gananesekaran guilty in 11 charges.
The charges included sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape, kidnapping and intimidation, reported NDTV.
In December last year, a second-year student of the university sexually assaulted on the campus. Gananesekaran was arrested in connection with the case by the police after the investigation.
The investigation in the case revealed that Gananesekaran was also reportedly involved in several theft cases as over 100 sovereigns of gold and a luxury SUV was seized from him reported NDTV.
AIADMK's Reaction:
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami welcomed the judgment.
"The court has given its verdict today in the sexual abuse case. In this case, the AIADMK protested against the incident, and the voices of the students were heard. As a result of the following and a series of investigations, criminal charges were filed against the accused. The decision given by the court on the basis of documents is welcome," Palamiswami said as quoted by ANI.
The student, in her December 23 complaint to police, alleged that an unidentified man had threatened and sexually assaulted her when she was talking to her friend on campus.
What Tamil Nadu CM Had Said?
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin highlighted that the accused was arrested shortly after the incident. "Members have spoken here by mentioning one University's name. But I don't want to mention that name, and don't want to defame that name. Because he only made us all. With that emotion, I am leaving aside that name. No one can accept what happened to a student in Chennai. Sexual assault on a student is cruel," Stalin said while speaking in the Tamil Nadu assembly during the first session of the new year.
"Legislature members have spoken here on the issue. Except one, all have spoken here with real concern. This one member has spoken to show this government in a bad light," he had added.
BJP Targets DMK:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has targeted the ruling DMK over the case. It alleged that Gananesekaran had connections with the DMK and even shared pictures of him with leaders of the ruling party in the state.
