Anna University Sexual Assault Case: NCW Orders Probe

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has initiated action on its own regarding a reported sexual assault case involving a 19-year-old student at Chennai’s Anna University. The Commission expressed its support for the victim and denounced the incident in a statement posted on the social media platform X, affirming their commitment to helping her seek justice.

“The NCW has taken suo moto cognizance of the disturbing sexual assault of a 19-year-old student from Anna University, Chennai. The Commission condemns this heinous act in the strongest terms and stands with the victim in her fight for justice,” NCW wrote on X.

The Commission stated that the accused is a “habitual offender”, and slammed the Tamil Nadu police for its negligence which compelled him to commit such crime.

“The NCW highlights that the accused is a habitual offender, with Tamil Nadu Police failing to act on previous cases. This negligence has emboldened him to commit such crimes, raising serious concerns about the collapsing law and order situation in Tamil Nadu,” it said.

“NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has directed the TN DGP to ensure free medical care and protection for the victim. Add Sec 71 of BNS, 2023, to the FIR for stricter punishment. Take action against officers for publicly revealing the victim’s identity, violating SC guidelines and Section 72 BNS,” the post added.

Chennai Police have arrested one suspect following the reported sexual assault of an Anna University second-year student that occurred Monday night on campus. In response to the incident, AIADMK party workers staged demonstrations against the DMK government, leading to their detention by police. K Annamalai, who heads the Tamil Nadu BJP, addressed the media and condemned the DMK-led administration, claiming that violence against women has reached unprecedented levels in the state. According to Annamalai’s statement, two unknown persons allegedly gained access to the university grounds and committed the assault on the student.

“Crimes against women are at an all-time high. Now this is not only shocking but for a moment we all felt paralysed. One of the safest places, Chennai, is the sprawling Anna University campus. A girl and boy were on a University campus when two unknown boys entered the campus and beat up the boy and sexually assaulted the girl with injuries. And now the CCTVs are not functioning. It shows the current state of law and order and administration in the Tamil Nadu. We pray that the police will be given freedom to operate. All MLAs, MPs are from DMK in Chennai, is this a city safeguarding the people?…I hope and pray Tamil Nadu government acts.”

A female engineering student from Guindy Engineering College filed a report at Kotturpuram’s All Women Police Station following an alleged assault. The second-year BE student stated in her December 23 complaint that while she was conversing with a friend on campus around 8 PM Monday, an unknown assailant threatened and sexually assaulted her. The Kotturpuram AWPS has registered the case and launched an investigation into the incident.