Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) stage a protest against the alleged sexual harassment of a girl student of Anna University that happened outside the university, in Chennai, Wednesday, Dec,25. 2024.Photo: PTI Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) stage a protest against the alleged sexual harassment of a girl student of Anna University that happened outside the university, in Chennai, Wednesday, Dec,25. 2024.Photo: PTI

Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathi on Thursday dismissed claims that the accused in the alleged sexual assault of a female student from Anna University had any significant connection to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party.

Speaking to reporters, Regupathi clarified that Gnanasekaran was not a member of the DMK's student wing, nor was he an office-bearer as some media outlets had suggested. "The accused is not even a primary party member," said Regupathi.

He also addressed a widely circulated photograph that allegedly showed the accused with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, explaining that the image did not reflect any close relationship.

“There is a clear gap in that photograph, and it was taken by someone else. Such incidents are inevitable and can't be controlled,” he said.

“Gnanasekaran, the accused was arrested in a matter of five to six hours showing police's swift action and the government had no necessity to hide anything”, he told reporters.

#WATCH | On alleged sexual assault of a student on Anna University campus, Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Regupathy says, "Anna University has a huge campus which the man had entered...He is not a DMK member or volunteer, not connected with the party. According to the information… pic.twitter.com/HHpaIwADVf

— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2024

Opposition attempts to stage protest, leaders arrested

Taking inspiration from Dravid, Sreejesh planned to take on the same role within the hockey setup.

Meanwhile, the case has sparked political outrage, with opposition parties seizing on the issue to criticize the DMK-led government. The AIADMK, Tamil Nadu's main opposition party, attempted to stage a protest in Chennai, condemning the alleged assault and accusing the government of mishandling the situation. 

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However, senior AIADMK leaders, including former ministers, were detained by the police during the protest attempt.

AIADMK leader D. Jayakumar, who led the protest, had a heated exchange with police officers when they informed him that permission for the demonstration had not been granted. Jayakumar demanded to know why other parties, including the Congress and the VCK—partners in the ruling DMK alliance—had been allowed to protest in the past without issue.

The BJP also voiced its disapproval of the handling of the case. Senior BJP leader and former Tamil Nadu Governor, Tamilisai Soundararajan, expressed her frustration with the police preventing a demonstration and asserted that she had every right to protest.

She accused the state government of underreporting the rise in sexual crimes and criticized the authorities for failing to act swiftly in such serious cases.

ALSO READ| Tamil Nadu: Protests Erupt After Anna University Student Sexually Assaulted On Campus, Accused Arrested

This uproar comes after an incident of sexual assault emerged from Anna University, where a second-year engineering student was reportedly assaulted while she was with a male friend on campus on Monday. 

Greater Chennai police arrested a 37-year-old man, identified as Gnanasekaran, who sells biryani on the pavement nearby.

The victim, a student at the College of Engineering, Guindy, reported that the assault occurred around 8 PM when they were outside behind one of the campus buildings.

She immediately alerted authorities at the Kotturpuram All Women Police Stationluck9, leading to the registration of a case.