A MAHILA Court here on Monday awarded life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission to the accused Gnanasekaran, who has been convicted for rape of a girl student on the Anna University campus in December last year. Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted 37-year-old Gnanasekaran on May 28, awarded life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission for the offence of rape, which falls under section 64 (1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act (BNS) and the judge imposed a total fine of Rs 90,000 on him.

 

The sensational case had triggered a political row over Gnanasekaran’s alleged connections with the ruling DMK in the state, although the party president and Chief Minister Stalin had in January said he was only a sympathiser and supporter, and not a member of the Dravidian party. The case came to light after the victim lodged a complaint before the All Women Police Station in Kotturpuram here on December 23, 2024. Chief Minister MK Stalin said the very stringent punishment has been secured and thanked the court and welcomed the judgment. The Chief Minister recalled that recently the Government had made amendments ruling out remission for sexual offenders.

 

In this case, the court has awarded punishment without scope for remission. The court has lauded the police department and this has shattered the thought of some to seek political mileage even in this matter. The court awarded sentences in respect of each of the 11 charges proved by the prosecution against the accused and the sentences shall run concurrently. The judge sentenced Gnanassekaran to imprisonment for 10 years under section 87 of BNS (Kidnapping or inducing a person for illicit purposes).