Anna University case: A warning judgement

After receiving a complaint from a student who was sexually harassed inside the prestigious Anna University campus in Chennai, police officials arrested Gnanasekaran in December, 2024. Various charges were slapped against him as the investigation proceeded. Based on Court direction, a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a woman IPS officer, was formed.
A few weeks later, police booked him under the Goondas Act, prohibiting him from coming out of prison through any means. The trail of the case began in a Chennai court. The SIT filed a 100-page charge sheet against the accused. After hearing all the arguments, Mahila court found him guilty of all the accusations on May 28, and announced that the details regarding his punishment will be revealed on June 2.
Accordingly, the verdict came on Monday. The court sentenced him to life imprisonment of not less than 30 years along with a penalty of Rs 90,000.
As per the prison norms, a convict is eligible for early release from the prison if his behavior conduct is extremely good. But, in this case, the court has snatched away the criteria and made it compulsory for him to serve the term in prison.
Whenever incidents of sexual harassment take place, public, especially women, demand that the accused should be hung to prevent another such incident in the soil. But what could be more severe than spending the rest of your life within four walls. The Mahila court’s verdict is welcomed by almost everyone.
The verdict should be a warning to all those who ever consider touching a woman without her consent, and see woman as a property. Congratulations to all the officials who ensured justice for the victim in such a short period of time.