The Madras High Court on Saturday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior women IPS officers to investigate the alleged sexual assault of a student at Anna University and the subsequent FIR leak.
The SIT, led by officers Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and Brinda, will handle both cases under the directive of Justices SM Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayanan.
Key Court Directives:
- Compensation to Victim:
- The Tamil Nadu Government has been directed to pay ₹25 lakh in compensation to the victim for the trauma caused by the FIR leak.
- Support for Victim:
- Anna University must provide free education, boarding, lodging, and counselling services to the victim to ensure her ability to continue her studies.
- Preventing Future FIR Leaks:
- The Director General of Police (DGP) of Tamil Nadu has been instructed to ensure no further leaks of FIRs in sexual offense cases against women and children.
- Action Against Police Missteps:
- The state government must take appropriate action, if necessary, against the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police for conducting a press conference and revealing investigation details without prior permission.
Leakage of FIR Details
The Attorney General (AG), PS Raman, informed the court that the FIR leak might have occurred due to a “technical glitch” in the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
He added that the police identified 14 individuals who accessed and shared the FIR details, including the victim’s identity. He stressed the need for stringent measures to instill responsibility in media outlets and the public to maintain confidentiality in such cases.
Court Observations:
- The Bench criticized the police for addressing the media without obtaining prior government permission, questioning their judgment in sharing sensitive information.
- The Bench noted that while the photos showing the accused with prominent leaders, such as the Deputy Chief Minister, were irrelevant to the victim’s case, the investigation must remain impartial and focused on justice.
Anna University’s Response:
Additional Advocate General J Ravindran, representing Anna University, stated that the institution is committed to the victim’s well-being, providing counselling and maintaining regular contact with her family.
The university has also set up a committee to enhance campus safety and security measures following the incident.
Incident Overview:
A second-year student at Anna University was allegedly sexually assaulted on December 23, 2024. A man has been arrested in connection with the case. The Madras High Court took suo motu cognizance of the matter after advocate R Varalakshmi highlighted the issue.
The SIT’s findings and the court’s strong directives are expected to ensure justice for the victim and set a precedent for safeguarding the privacy and dignity of survivors of sexual offenses.