A 37-year-old man with a criminal record, Gnanasekaran, has been arrested for allegedly raping a second-year engineering student on the Anna University campus in Chennai. The incident, which occurred on the evening of December 23, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about campus safety.
Incident Details:
The survivor, along with her male friend—a third-year student—was near an old, isolated building on the campus when the accused approached them. Gnanasekaran, who runs a roadside eatery near the university, claimed to have filmed their private moments and used the footage to intimidate them. He reportedly coerced the male friend to leave and then assaulted the woman.
Before fleeing, the suspect demanded the survivor’s phone number and threatened to summon her in the future. Gnanasekaran, who was previously arrested in 2011 for a similar offense on the same campus, has a history of criminal activity, with at least 15 cases of theft and robbery registered against him.
Immediate Response:
The survivor contacted a police helpline the following day, leading to Gnanasekaran’s arrest. Police are examining the crime scene and searching for the suspect’s mobile phone, suspecting that it may contain compromising images of other women.
Campus Security Measures:
In the wake of the assault, Anna University officials announced plans to:
- Install additional CCTV cameras across the campus.
- Hire ex-servicemen to strengthen patrol and surveillance efforts.
- Conduct a joint security review with police to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Political Reactions:
The incident drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP state chief K Annamalai, PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss, and AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who criticized the ruling DMK government for lapses in campus security.
State Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian condemned the crime and assured action to prevent similar incidents. He also urged against politicizing the issue, pointing out the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault cases that occurred during the AIADMK’s tenure.
Ensuring Safety for Students:
In a statement, police emphasized their commitment to student safety, pledging collaborative efforts with university authorities to bolster campus security measures.
(The identity of the survivor has been withheld in accordance with Supreme Court directives on cases of sexual assault.)
