Sexual assault in Anna varsity sparks outrage

A 19-year-old student was allegedly sexually assaulted on the campus of Anna University in Chennai, police officers familiar with the matter said, adding that one man was arrested over the incident, which triggered widespread outrage and fanned a political tussle in Tamil Nadu.

- Divya Chandrababu

CHENNAI:

According to police, the 37-year-old accused entered the university campus on Monday evening and sexually assaulted the second-year student at around 8 pm behind a building after thrashing a fourth-year male student, who was accompanying her.

"The accused allegedly threatened the male student and forced him to flee the spot," said a senior police official on condition of anonymity.

The police registered a case based on the woman's complaint and arrested a man who ran a biryani stall near the campus. HT reached out to police officers to know the sections under which the case was registered but they refused to divulge details.

"During the investigation, Gnanasekaran of Kottur (a neighbourhood near the college) has been arrested for this crime. The suspect has given a confessional statement," police said.