Anna University sexual assault case: "Will appeal before an upper court," says accused advocate BR Jayaprakash Narayanan

"The court has found Gnanasekaran, the accused in the Anna University rape case, in all the 11 sections. The judgment was declared last week, and the punishment details are given today. He has been sentenced to 30 years without remission. He has also been imposed a fine of Rs 90,000, which will go to the victim... There is a chance for us to have a better appeal. After getting documents from the court, we will appeal before an upper court," Narayanan told ANI.

A Mahila Court here on Monday awarded a life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000 to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted of sexually harassing a student on the Anna University campus in December last year.

Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against him.

Public Prosecutor Marry Jayanthi said, "As far as the Gnanasekaran case is concerned, we have got the verdict today. 30 years without remission have been provided. SIT enquired into the incident; they filed a charge sheet at the Mahila court. April 30 for the first time, affected women took the stage. All evidence was provided, as it was satisfactory for the court; today this judgement has come. The highest punishment is a life sentence for this case, and it has been provided."

A second-year student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus in December. After an investigation, the Chennai Police had arrested Gananesekaran in connection with the case.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday hailed the state police, investigating officers and government lawyers for the expeditious verdict in the Anna University sexual assault case.

In a post on X, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that the state's police swiftly pursued the case and justice was delivered in just five months.

Stalin said he had told the police to prevent crime, and if any incident occurs, no criminal should escape. The criminals, he said, should be investigated expeditiously and punished. He also slammed the opposition parties who had made allegations against the ruling DMK over the incident and said attempts were made to play "cheap politics".

He said the government has shattered the "slander" being spread. "We will always ensure justice and the safety of women," he said. (ANI)