J Prakash, registrar of Anna University, said that the university is fully cooperating with the police in the investigation and the ICC has also started an investigation. “The university administration is fully supporting the police investigation,” he said.
Police said on Wednesday that a 37-year-old man selling biryani on the footpath was arrested for sexually assaulting a student of Anna University. The victim, Guindi, a student of University College of Engineering, said in the complaint, ‘On December 23, 2024, at around 8 pm, she was talking to her male friend behind a building in the college campus when an unknown person threatened her. The person who sexually abused her.
She lodged a complaint at the Kotturpuram All Women Police Station and a case was registered, 4 special teams were formed, and an investigation was underway, a Greater Chennai City Police statement said.
“On the basis of scientific evidence during investigation, Jnanasekaran of Kottur (a neighborhood near the college) has been arrested for this crime. The suspect has given a statement. He is doing business by running a biryani shop on the footpath.” Also, the police said that they are investigating whether he was involved in other crimes. An investigation is ongoing with the help of the University’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
“CCTV cameras have been installed in the university campus and security officers have been deployed.” The police said that after discussions with the university authorities, appropriate steps will be taken to strengthen the security arrangements of the students and a ‘joint security review’ will be conducted.
J Prakash, registrar of Anna University, said that the university is fully cooperating with the police in the investigation and the ICC has also started an investigation. “The university administration is fully supporting the police investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, SFI and AIDWA protested in front of the state-run university campus demanding action. According to one of the protesters, the student was allegedly sexually assaulted by “two outsiders inside the campus”. This incident has also brought a strong political response. AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed grief and said it was “shameful” that the vandalism took place and that too in the prestigious university campus.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published by PTI)
The leader of the opposition party said that the incident showed that the peace and security situation has deteriorated further. He strongly condemned the DMK government, accusing women of having no protection in educational institutions and workplaces.
The government should arrest those involved in the crime and punish them severely. Higher Education Minister Govi Chejian hit out at the opposition for trying to “politicize” the incident.
“Swift action is being taken. The culprits will be brought to justice,” Chejian said. The minister said that a decision will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening at the university level.
DMK spokesperson A Saravanan said the incident was extremely unfortunate and should not have happened. The police have acted swiftly, an FIR has been registered and the culprits will be brought to justice, he expressed confidence. “There should be no political arguments…we should not confuse these crimes with the law and order situation,” he told PTI videos.
CPI and CPI(M) allies of the ruling party have condemned the sexual abuse and demanded strict action against the culprits. The Marxist party has asked the government to take appropriate steps to crack down on anti-social elements and ensure the safety of women in educational institutions and hostels.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai also expressed grief and said the victim and another student were inside the campus when the incident happened. Alleging that the CCTVs were not working at the time, he said the crime showed “the current state of law and order in Tamil Nadu, the administration”. PMK founder leader S Ramdas alleged that under the DMK’s Dravidian model of governance, no one except criminals was protected. “People are seeing what is happening. People will give proper punishment to the DMK government at the right time.”