The Madras High Court has set up a team of female police officers to look into an alleged sexual assault case at Anna University and a leak of the police report. Judges SM Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayanan have put together a team of women officers: Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and Brinda, to handle both matters.
The court ordered the Tamil Nadu Government to give the victim 25 lakh rupees as compensation for the distress caused by the report leak. They also told Anna University to provide the victim with free education, housing, and counseling so she can continue her studies.
The court emphasized that the Director General of Police (DGP) in Tamil Nadu must ensure that no more FIR leaks happen in cases of sexual crimes against women and children. The judges also asked the state government to take necessary steps against the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police for holding a press conference that disclosed too many details about the investigation.
Attorney General PS Raman mentioned that the FIR leak might have happened due to a technical issue with the National Informatics Centre, which manages police records. He said 14 people who accessed the FIR shared details, including the victim’s name. He called for responsibility from the media and the public to keep the identity of victims confidential.
The judges questioned why police did not get permission before talking to the media. In response to an advocate’s claim that photos showed the accused with high-ranking leaders, the judges stated they were more focused on the victim than on photos.
The Attorney General assured the court that the police had not leaked the FIR and stressed their obligation to protect the victim’s identity. He also submitted reports documenting the investigation.
The Additional Advocate General mentioned that Anna University is supporting the victim and has been in touch with her and her parents. The university has also created a committee to discuss safety measures for students.
The incident occurred on the night of December 23, when a second-year Anna University student was allegedly assaulted. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the case.
Earlier, the Madras High Court stepped in on its own after an advocate, R Varalakshmi, brought the incident to attention. However, no orders were issued yet as the case needs to be formally handled by the Chief Justice.
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