Madras HC: Anna varsity sexual assault case is being politicised

Justice P Velmurugan mentioned that as an alternative of treating the incident as a wake-up name to concentrate on crimes in opposition to ladies, the difficulty was being politicised. He additional criticised the media for conducting a “media trial”.

The court docket made the feedback when advocate Okay Balu talked about a case concerning denial of permission for protest by the ladies’s wing of the Pattali Makkal Karchi (PMK) social gathering in opposition to the December 23 case.

Additionally Learn | Sexual assault case: NCW flags lapses in probe as Anna varsity row rages

Remarking that the protests is not going to assist the case, the choose mentioned that political events within the state have been organizing protests merely for media consideration.

“…the case is being politicised. There isn’t a real focus on ladies’s security,” the Excessive Courtroom noticed.

The choose additional famous that the court docket had already ordered the structure of a particular investigation group to research the case, and added that if the investigation just isn’t carried out appropriately the court docket would intervene.

The excessive court docket additionally directed the state authorities to pay ₹25 lakh as compensation to the 19-year-old scholar and directed Anna College to sponsor her schooling for not making certain her security on campus.

The incident occurred on December 23, when the 19-year-old engineering scholar was sexually assaulted on the Anna College campus. The survivor, in her criticism, mentioned that the assailant attacked her and her male pal, brutally assaulting the latter earlier than dragging her into close by shrubs the place the assault occurred.

Additionally Learn | Madras HC orders SIT probe in TN varsity case

The accused, recognized as Gnanasekaran, a roadside vendor, was arrested shortly after the criticism was filed. In keeping with police, Gnanasekaran has a protracted felony file.

The incident triggered huge outcry, prompting the HC to take suo motu cognizance of the difficulty and direct the formation of the SIT comprising three ladies officers to probe the case.

The SIT, comprising Bhukya Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and S Brinda, started its probe into the incident on Thursday and the alleged leak of the FIR which revealed the survivor’s identification.

The Kotturpuram police who arrested the accused handed over the case particulars to the SIT. “The investigation has simply begun. A report will likely be submitted to the excessive court docket,” a police official mentioned, requesting anonymity.

A two-member fact-finding group from the Nationwide Fee for Girls (NCW) – which took up the case suo moto – mentioned final December 30 that they discovered sure shortcomings on the aspect of the college and town police.

“To make sure accountability, the NCW assessed safety at Anna College, met the SIT, and engaged stakeholders, together with NGOs and college students. An in depth report with actionable suggestions was ready. The protection of scholars stays non-negotiable,” the NCW posted on X on Tuesday.

The committee led by NCW member Mamta Kumari had met the sufferer and household on Tuesday, mentioned with governor RN Ravi (chancellor of state universities), DGP Shankar Jiwal and senior officers. “Lapses in security at Anna College are underneath scrutiny,” the NCW mentioned.