CM Stalin breaks silence in Anna University sexual assault case, vows justice to survivor

CHENNAI: Breaking his silence on the sensitive Anna University sexual assault case, Chief Minister MK Stalin — amid uproar in the Assembly on Wednesday — assured maximum punishment to the accused and stringent action if any other person(s) was found to be involved. CM Stalin's detailing of the infamous Pollachi sex racket case that shook the previous regime saw Opposition AIADMK walk out in protest.

Replying to a special call attention motion moved by ruling alliance partners and opposition members, including Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, Stalin said, “I would like to categorically state at the outset that the government has no intention other than securing justice for the survivor. You can blame the government if the accused was not arrested or if there is an attempt to save him. But, finding fault despite the arrest of the accused and gathering of evidence within hours of the crime is only for political gains.”

On the leaked FIR, the Chief Minister, who avoided naming the varsity and called it the 'Chennai sexual assault case' out of respect for Arignar Anna, said, “Who is responsible for that (FIR leak)? The National Informatics Centre is run by the union government. After the police pointed it out, they (NIC) rectified the glitch. Even NIC issued a clarification.”

Responding to dysfunctional CCTV cameras on the AU campus, the CM said, “The accused was identified and arrested only with the help of the CCTV cameras in the surroundings of the crime spot.”

Regarding the 'Who is that sir' slogan of the opposition, Stalin referred to the ongoing probe of the Special Investigation Team constituted by the Madras High Court and said, “The accused has been detained under the Goondas Act. I assure the House 100% action. Let there be no second thoughts about that.”

“To the opposition which wonders who is that sir, please furnish the information, if you have any, to the SIT constituted by the High Court. Who is preventing it?”

The CM also assured that the charge sheet will be filed within 60 days.

CM: ACCUSED ONLY A SYMPATHIZER OF DMK

CM Stalin on Wednesday categorically denied any links between accused Gnanasekaran and the DMK. However, he admitted that the accused was a sympathizer of the party. “He is not a member of the DMK. He is a DMK sympathizer. Indeed, he has taken photographs with a couple of ministers. But let me clarify. Even if he's a DMK member, stringent action will be taken.”