Minister Confirms Regular Access by Accused
Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister, Govi Chezhiaan, revealed that the accused in the Anna University sexual assault case, Gnansekharan, was a frequent visitor to the campus. The accused reportedly had ties to a temporary staff member, which enabled him to access the university regularly without raising suspicion.
Incident Raises Questions on Campus Security
The sexual assault occurred on December 23, 2024, around 8 PM, exposing serious security lapses at Anna University. Minister Chezhiaan described the event as a severe breach of safety protocols.
POSH Committee Lacked Prior Knowledge
When asked about the role of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Committee, the minister admitted that the incident had not been brought to the committee’s attention. He explained, “Had students reported such a threat, an investigation would have been initiated.” Moving forward, he assured that weekly reports from the POSH committee will be mandatory to enhance oversight.
Stricter Safety Measures Promised
Minister Chezhiaan announced that the government will implement enhanced security measures within the next ten days. These include stricter protocols to prevent unauthorized access and improve campus safety.
Government’s Commitment to Justice
The minister reiterated the government’s full support for the ongoing investigation and promised severe punishment for the accused. He assured the public that such incidents will not be tolerated and measures will be taken to prevent recurrence.
Opposition Criticizes DMK Government
The incident has sparked statewide protests, with opposition parties like the BJP and AIADMK slamming the ruling DMK government. Critics have labeled the incident as a failure of law and order, calling for accountability and action.
Key Highlights:
- Accused frequently accessed campus due to ties with temporary staff.
- Incident revealed severe security lapses at Anna University.
- POSH committee oversight to be strengthened with weekly reports.
- New safety protocols to be introduced within ten days.
- Protests against DMK government over alleged law and order failure.