Furore over sexual assault of woman college student in Chennai

THE POLICE in Chennai have arrested a roadside biryani seller for sexually assaulting an Anna University student.

The incident happened on December 23, around 8 pm, when the victim, a student of the varsity's College of Engineering, Guindy, was chatting with her male friend on the campus premises.

They were intimidated by an unknown person, who also sexually assaulted her. He also told her to meet him whenever he called her.

She later lodged a complaint with the Kotturpuram All Women's Police Station and a case was duly registered.

The police arrested Gnanasekaran of Kottur (a neighbourhood near the college) on Wednesday (25) and he confessed to the crime.

The police found that the 37-year old accused had already been involved in at least 10 criminal cases.

They said appropriate action will be taken to enhance security for the students following consultations with university officials.

The incident has also triggered strong political reactions.

AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed shock and said it was "shameful" that the barbarity happened and that too in the reputed varsity premises.

A section of the media claimed that the accused was an office-bearer of the student's wing of the ruling party.

Refuting the allegations, Tamil Nadu law minister S Regupathi told reporters on Thursday (26) that Gnanasekaran is not even a primary member of the DMK.

The National Commission for Women took cognizance of the incident and censured the police for making public the details of the identity of the victim. The commission wanted strict action to be taken against the delinquent police officer.

Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun on Thursday warned of appropriate action on those behind the alleged FIR "leak" in the girl student sexual assault case.

It was an offence to leak the FIR or even publicly discuss it, especially when the case pertained to crimes against girls or women, he said.

The Kotturpuram police have registered a case on the alleged leak of FIR, he said.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai also expressed shock and said the victim and another student were very much inside the campus when the incident happened.

Annamalai also questioned the way the FIR was written and said it was drafted as if the victim had committed a crime. "The DMK should be ashamed of disclosing the identity of the victim."

Alleging that CCTVs were not functioning at that time, he said the crime showed the "current status of law and order, the administration in Tamil Nadu." (PTI)