Tamil Nadu court awards life sentence to Gnanasekaran, convicted in Anna varsity case

CHENNAI, June 2: A Mahila Court here on Monday awarded life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted for rape of a girl student on the Anna University campus in December last year.
The judge , who convicted 37-year-old Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission for the offence of rape and the judge imposed a total fine of Rs 90,000 on him.
The sensational case had triggered a political row over Gnanasekaran’s alleged connections with the ruling DMK in the state, although the party president and Chief Minister Stalin had in January said he was only a sympathiser and supporter, and not a member of the Dravidian party.
The case came to light after the victim lodged a complaint before the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram here on December 23, 2024.Out of the 12 charges recorded in the chargesheet, charges have been proven as regards 11 charges.While convicting the accused, the court held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge said Gnanasekaran sought a lenient sentence claiming he was the sole bread-winner of the family and prosecution objected to it and sought maximum punishment.Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said “right punishment” has been awarded to the convict by the court. The court has lauded the police department and this has shattered the thought of some to seek political mileage even in this matter. (PTI)