AIADMK Student Wing Leader Arrested During Protest Related to Anna University Sexual Assault Incident

Chennai, Jan 6 (NationPress) The Greater Chennai Police apprehended Singai Ramachandran, the Secretary of the AIADMK Students’ Wing, along with several others, while they were trying to hand out black armbands to students at Anna University in response to a recent sexual assault incident.

This protest took place despite police denying permission for such demonstrations.

The AIADMK student wing had organized the protest against the sexual assault of a second-year engineering student from Anna University, which took place on December 23.

The protest was planned to commence outside the Anna University campus at 8:30 a.m.

However, police had previously warned the student leaders that they would be arrested if they proceeded with the demonstration.

Reports indicate a heavy police presence at the university campus.

The AIADMK plans to raise the issue of the arrests of their student leaders, including State Secretary Singai Ramachandran, in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which is set to begin its session today.

The assault occurred on December 23 when a second-year engineering student and her male friend, a senior at the university, were seated in a secluded part of the campus after attending a Christmas event.

According to the victim's complaint, the assailants attacked her male friend, brutally assaulting him, before dragging her into nearby shrubs and committing rape.

The police responded quickly and arrested a 37-year-old roadside biryani vendor, Gnanshekharan, in connection with the crime.

This incident has ignited widespread outrage across the state. Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai staged a dramatic protest outside his residence in Coimbatore, where he flogged himself six times as a symbolic gesture against what he termed the declining law and order situation in the state.

He also declared intentions to embark on a 48-day fast and visit all six holy sites of Lord Murugan as part of his protest.

Annamalai criticized the Tamil Nadu Police for leaking the FIR of the case, which compromised the identity of the 19-year-old victim, violating her privacy.

He also alleged that the accused, Gnanshekharan, was not listed in the police's rowdy database despite having over 20 prior cases against him.

He claimed this was due to the accused's connections with leaders from the ruling DMK party.

The BJP chief, a former IPS officer, presented evidence indicating that the accused was affiliated with the DMK.

He accused the party of attempting to deflect attention from Tamil Nadu’s law and order problems by fabricating a narrative around a North-South divide.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has pledged to submit a comprehensive report on the incident to the Centre.

NCW member Mamta Kumari visited Anna University to investigate the case. “We explored every corner of Anna University and conducted a meticulous investigation. We met with the affected girl and her family to collect all necessary information. We also consulted with the Governor of Tamil Nadu regarding the issue,” stated Mamta Kumari.

She added, “A detailed report will be submitted to the Central government via the NCW. Anyone found guilty will face stringent punishment.”