Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Welcoming the Chennai trial court’s sentencing of the lone convict in the Anna University sexual assault case to life imprisonment, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday (June 2, 2025) said that the State police force had given a fitting response to those who were theatrical about women’s safety.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, however, questioned why the alleged involvement of another individual (an unnamed person whom Opposition parties claim is linked to the case) was ruled out during the investigation. He added that answers to such questions would emerge when the AIADMK returns to power.

Reacting to the sentencing, the Chief Minister said in a social media post, wrote: “We have secured severe punishment for the accused by swiftly completing the investigation in the Chennai student case within five months, which was praised by the High Court.” He added that the Mahila Court had also appreciated the role played by the police in the case.

Mr. Stalin contended that the verdict had demolished the efforts of “small-minded people” who sought political gain from a case involving a young woman. Recalling a recent legislation introduced by the government to impose stringent punishment for sexual offences, the Chief Minister welcomed the court’s judgment awarding rigorous imprisonment without any relaxation, including remission.

EPS raises concerns

Meanwhile, Mr. Palaniswami, in his social media post, said a “DMK sympathiser” has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mahila Court. “The DMK government undertook several attempts to protect the accused Gnanasekar in this case,” Mr. Palaniswami claimed, and contended it was the AIADMK, with its unrelenting efforts, that made the conviction and sentencing possible.

“We have been fulfilling our promise to this day, that the AIADMK would continue to be the voice of the affected student. And so, we continue to ask even today, ‘Who is that Sir?, so that she gets justice in its entirety,” Mr. Palaniswami said. He further asked: “Who was the ‘Sir’ mentioned in the FIR? And why was his involvement ruled out during the probe? Why did the DMK government attempt to conclude that Gnanasekar was the only individual involved in this case?”

The Leader of Opposition further stated: “These questions would not remain unanswered for long. There would be answers to them all, when the AIADMK comes to power.”

‘Ensure safety of women’

AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran welcomed the punishment awarded to Gnanasekar. Though the sentencing in this case would be a consolation for women, Mr. Dhinakaran urged the Tamil Nadu government to take steps to ensure their safety across the State. 

BJP State president Nainar Nagendran and Tamil Maanila Congress (M) leader G.K. Vasan also welcomed the sentencing.

In a post on X, Mr. Nagendran urged the Chief Minister to ensure that justice is delivered in other pending sexual assault cases, which occurred during the DMK regime. Besides, he felt that in the Anna University sexual assault case, there is still suspicion among the public as to who is “indirectly backing the culprit”. This “person” should also be exposed, even if it is a politician, Minister, or an official, he said.

In a separate statement, Mr. Vasan said there is no news about those who backed Gnanasekar and this was “a big question mark.” The verdict, however, has boosted confidence and trust among the public, parents, and students, he said.