Chennai’s Anna University is under intense scrutiny after a second-year engineering student was allegedly raped on campus on December 23, 2024. The incident has triggered widespread outrage over safety lapses and political blame games. The accused, Gnanasekaran, a 37-year-old with a criminal record, was arrested two days later, on December 25, following the survivor’s police complaint.
The survivor and her male friend, a third-year student, were near an old building on the campus around 8 p.m. when Gnanasekaran approached them. According to reports, he threatened to release a video he had allegedly filmed of the pair, blackmailed the male student into leaving, and then sexually assaulted the woman. Before fleeing, he demanded her phone number and threatened to summon her in the future.
Police recovered Gnanasekaran’s phone, which reportedly contained evidence of the crime. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether he committed similar acts and deleted evidence.
Gnanasekaran, who runs a roadside eatery near the campus, has a criminal history, including over 15 cases of theft and robbery. In 2011, he was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting another woman on the same campus. It is unclear whether that case went to trial.
The incident has sparked protests among students and activists, demanding better safety measures on university campuses. Demonstrators are calling for increased security, the installation of surveillance systems, and awareness programs to prevent such heinous acts.
“The lack of adequate safety measures on campuses is unacceptable. Educational institutions must prioritize student safety,” one protester said.
Anna University authorities and local officials are under pressure to implement immediate reforms to ensure the campus is a safe environment for all students. As the community rallies for justice for the survivor, the incident has reignited a larger conversation about the urgent need for stringent security measures and judicial accountability in addressing crimes against women.
Further updates on the case and university response are awaited.
Source / Image Credit : The Hindu