Chennai university sexual assault: HC slams ‘politicisation’, says ‘we’re all co-accused in such crimes’
A court-appointed all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by senior IPS officers, also began its probe by visiting the campus and meeting students as part of its inquiry.
A court-appointed all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by senior IPS officers, also began its probe by visiting the campus and meeting students as part of its inquiry. (File Image)
Madras High Court judge Justice P Velmurugan on Thursday criticised the politicisation of the sexual assault case at Anna University, urging all to address the societal attitudes and systemic failures that allow such crimes to persist rather than exploiting the tragedy for political and media spectacle.
In an impassioned courtroom address, Justice Velmurugan said the assault should have been a moment for collective introspection about the systemic subjugation of women. Instead, it had devolved into partisan posturing and sensationalist media coverage, he said.
A court-appointed all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by senior IPS officers, also began its probe by visiting the campus and meeting students as part of its inquiry.
“I am ashamed to live in this era where discrimination based on gender and caste continues. All of us should be ashamed. We all are co-accused in such crimes,” the judge said. His remarks came during the hearing of a petition filed by PMK advocate K Balu, seeking police permission for a protest against the incident by the party’s women wing.
Justice Velmurugan dismissed the plea, asserting that such protests by political parties are often staged more for media attention than out of genuine concern. “Conducting protests will not help in any way,” he said.
When Balu argued that the protest was intended to “protect women,” Justice Velmurugan challenged the very premise of the word “protection”. He said the term betrayed a mindset that perpetuates gender inequality by positioning women as dependents rather than equals. “The use of the word protection itself is wrong. It only signifies that we have not given equal rights to our mothers, sisters, and daughters. This mindset should change,” he said.
The judge also took aim at the media, accusing news channels of engaging in a “media trial” that prioritise sensationalism over sensitivity. “I am not saying the media should not report on the issue, but definitely not in the way in which they are doing,” he said.
The judge’s frustration extended to state authorities, warning the government counsel to tread carefully while attempting to make submissions. “If I turn to your side, things will be different. Don’t provoke me,” he said, cautioning that the judiciary would intervene decisively if the investigation faltered.
Meanwhile, the all-woman SIT, formed by a division bench of the HC, led by Justices S M Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayanan is also expected to meet the survivor and gather evidence before submitting a report to the HC. The SIT comprises Dr Bhukya Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and S Brinda.
Arun Janardhanan is an experienced and authoritative Tamil Nadu correspondent for The Indian Express. Based in the state, his reporting combines ground-level access with long-form clarity, offering readers a nuanced understanding of South India’s political, judicial, and cultural life - work that reflects both depth of expertise and sustained authority.
Expertise
Geographic Focus: As Tamil Nadu Correspondent focused on politics, crime, faith and disputes, Janardhanan has been also reporting extensively on Sri Lanka, producing a decade-long body of work on its elections, governance, and the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings through detailed stories and interviews.
Key Coverage Areas:
State Politics and Governance: Close reporting on the DMK and AIADMK, the emergence of new political actors such as actor Vijay’s TVK, internal party churn, Centre–State tensions, and the role of the Governor.
Legal and Judicial Affairs: Consistent coverage of the Madras High Court, including religion-linked disputes and cases involving state authority and civil liberties.
Investigations: Deep-dive series on landmark cases and unresolved questions, including the Tirupati encounter and the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, alongside multiple investigative series from Tamil Nadu.
Culture, Society, and Crisis: Reporting on cultural organisations, language debates, and disaster coverage—from cyclones to prolonged monsoon emergencies—anchored in on-the-ground detail.
His reporting has been recognised with the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Beyond journalism, Janardhanan is also a screenwriter; his Malayalam feature film Aarkkariyam was released in 2021. ... Read More
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