Anna University Sexual Assault Case: Gnanasekaran Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Without Remission
Chennai : Gnanasekaran, the man convicted of sexually assaulting a second-year engineering student inside the Anna University campus in December 2024, has been sentenced to life imprisonment without remission by the Mahila Court in Chennai.
The ruling was delivered by Judge M. Rajalakshmi, who stated that the convict must serve at least 30 years in prison, with no possibility of early release, parole, or remission. Additionally, the court imposed a fine of ₹90,000 on the accused.
What Is Life Imprisonment Without Remission?
A life sentence without remission means the convict will remain in prison for the entirety of their natural life, without the benefit of early release schemes such as parole or sentence reduction.
Verdict and Sentencing Timeline
On May 28, 2025, Gnanasekaran was found guilty of 11 charges, including rape, sexual harassment, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation. Sentencing was deferred to June 2. During the sentencing hearing, the defence sought leniency citing the accused’s elderly mother and young daughter, but the court rejected the plea following strong objections from the prosecution.
Judge Rajalakshmi upheld the maximum punishment allowed under the law, considering the gravity and cruelty of the offence.
Case Background: December 2024 Incident
On the night of December 23, 2024, the survivor, a young engineering student, was spending time with her male friend on the Anna University campus when Gnanasekaran, a 37-year-old roadside biryani vendor, confronted them.
He threatened to record and expose their private moment to university authorities and coerced the male student to leave. Then, pretending that her friend was being interrogated by staff, Gnanasekaran manipulated the student and sexually assaulted her in a secluded area. He also recorded the assault on his phone and threatened to leak the video unless she complied with further demands.
The Survivor’s Courage and Police Action
Despite the trauma, the survivor took swift action with the support of her family and college officials. She filed a complaint at the Kotturpuram All Women Police Station on December 24, 2024. The Chennai Police arrested Gnanasekaran the next day.
Due to the sensitivity and seriousness of the case, it was transferred to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by women IPS officers Bhukya Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and S. Brinda, following a directive from the Madras High Court.
Charges Filed Against Gnanasekaran
On February 24, 2025, the SIT filed a comprehensive chargesheet. Gnanasekaran was charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, including:
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Section 64(1): Rape
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Section 75(1): Sexual Harassment
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Section 127(2): Wrongful Confinement
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Section 351(3): Criminal Intimidation
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Sections 67 & 67A: IT Act (transmission of obscene material)
Anna University Sexual Assault Case: Timeline at a Glance
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December 23, 2024: Assault occurs on campus; victim threatened with video
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December 24, 2024: FIR filed at Kotturpuram All Women Police Station
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December 25, 2024: Accused arrested by Chennai Police
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February 24, 2025: SIT files chargesheet
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May 28, 2025: Accused found guilty
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June 2, 2025: Life sentence without remission awarded
Justice Delivered
The case has become a landmark example of swift justice, made possible through the survivor’s bravery, prompt institutional support, and coordinated efforts by law enforcement and judiciary. The sentence serves as a strong message against crimes of sexual violence and abuse of power.
