Madras High Court Orders SIT Probe Into Anna University Sexual Assault, Directs ₹25 Lakh Compensation for Victim

Chennai: In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court on Saturday directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sexual assault of a 19-year-old Anna University student. The Court also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to the victim, citing serious lapses by the police, including the public revelation of her details in the FIR uploaded on the police website.

A Bench comprising Justice S.M. Subramaniam and Justice V. Lakshminarayan took note of critical omissions in the ongoing investigation and expressed strong disapproval of the victim-blaming tone of the FIR.

Serious Lapses Highlighted
The Court criticized the language used in the FIR, labeling it as misogynistic and an example of victim shaming. "The deplorable language in the FIR paves the way for victim blaming. It is shocking and has caused additional mental agony to the victim," the Bench observed.

During the hearing, the Court emphasized that the victim’s constitutional rights under Article 21, which guarantee dignity and bodily autonomy, had been violated. It stated that the responsibility of ensuring women’s safety lies with the State and society.

"It is the duty of the State and society to protect women, not to judge or shame them," the Court remarked. "A woman must rise above societal stigma; it was never her fault, only the society's for judging her."

SIT Formation and Victim Protection
The SIT will comprise three senior IPS officers and will take over the investigation immediately. The Court also directed the police to provide adequate security to the victim and her family to ensure their safety.

Additionally, the Court instructed Anna University to waive all future fees for the victim and ensure she can continue her studies without further distress.

Police Criticized for FIR Leak
The Court took serious note of the FIR leak, which led to the victim's details being exposed online. It dismissed the explanation provided by Advocate General (AG) P.S. Raman, who attributed the leak to technical glitches during the transition from the IPC to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) system.

"Your argument on the computer glitch doesn’t hold water. In five months since the transition, how many sensitive FIRs have been mishandled?" the Court questioned.

The Court also raised concerns about a press conference held by the Chennai Police Commissioner, where it was stated that only one person was involved in the assault. The Bench directed the government to examine whether the Commissioner’s remarks violated any rules and to take appropriate action if necessary.

Campus Safety Under Scrutiny

The Court questioned Anna University’s management on how the accused, identified as Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor, was able to enter the campus freely. Following the incident, the university has constituted a permanent safety committee to implement preventive measures for student safety.

Media and Political Allegations

While the Court acknowledged the media’s responsibility to report responsibly, it cautioned against using propaganda to curtail press freedom. It also rejected allegations that the accused had political connections with the ruling party, calling such claims irrelevant to the investigation.

Path Forward

The Bench stressed the importance of sensitizing the police to handle such cases with care and ensuring justice for the victim. "She must not suffer any further. The focus should remain on her recovery and continuing her education," the Court concluded.

The SIT investigation is expected to set a precedent in handling cases of this nature, emphasizing the need for sensitivity, victim protection, and adherence to constitutional principles.