New Delhi: The recent conviction of DMK executive Gnanasekaran to 30 years imprisonment for the sexual assault of an Anna University student has sparked controversy in Tamil Nadu. While the sentencing was welcomed by BJP leader K. Annamalai, he expressed serious reservations regarding several unanswered questions surrounding the case. His concerns centre around a series of events and alleged actions occurring on and around 24 December.
Annamalai highlighted numerous phone calls made on that date. Specifically, he cited frequent communication between Gnanasekaran and Kottur Shanmugam, a DMK division secretary in the area. These calls, he claimed, extended into the evening after Gnanasekaran’s court appearance and subsequent release. Further calls were made by Shanmugam to a senior Tamil Nadu Police officer. While respecting the police force, Annamalai declined to name the officer. He asserted these calls, along with the timing and frequency, raise serious concerns about potential interference.
The most critical allegation centres around the destruction of evidence. Annamalai stated that evidence was destroyed after Gnanasekaran’s release from the police station on the 24th, pointing to one of the eleven sections under which Gnanasekaran was charged, specifically addressing evidence tampering. He also referenced the police’s later claim that the university’s CCTV footage was unavailable and the lack of information about the victim’s mobile phone, raising additional questions about the investigation’s thoroughness.
Another key point of contention is the emergence of a second sexual assault case against Gnanasekaran, only filed on 14 May. Annamalai questions why this case was not revealed earlier and whether it indicates a larger pattern of misconduct. He further highlighted an alleged attempt by two police officers, one in uniform and one in plainclothes, to dissuade the victim from filing an FIR, delaying the official report by a day.
Annamalai’s concerns extend to the involvement of Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramaniam, who was contacted during these critical days. He demanded the interrogation of both Shanmugam and the Minister to clarify their roles and involvement. The Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, he claimed, has failed to adequately address these serious concerns. Annamalai vowed to continue pursuing answers.
