Tamil Nadu Police warn of misinformation in Anna University sexual assault case
Tamil Nadu Police warn of misinformation in Anna University sexual assault case Tamil Nadu Police warn of misinformation in Anna University sexual assault case
Tamil Nadu Police on Saturday issued a statement, clarifying the ‘misinformation’ being spread on social media and certain local media outlets regarding the ongoing investigation into the sexual assault case involving a student from Anna University in Chennai.
The police statement categorically denied the accuracy of claims made by some local news channels and social media accounts regarding alleged developments in the case.
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“Specific reports suggesting that the victim had provided statements implicating certain individuals, that electronic devices containing inappropriate content had been seized, or that additional suspects from Tiruppur had been identified were baseless,” the statement read.
The police clarified that neither the Special Investigation Team (SIT) nor any other authorised body has released information about the progress of the investigation.
“The spread of unverified and speculative information not only misleads the public but also jeopardizes the integrity of the investigation. Such could interfere with the fair and impartial handling of a sensitive case and cause significant harm to those involved,” the statement added.
Police have also urged media organisations, individuals, and social media influencers to refrain from commenting on or speculating about the investigation’s outcome.
Currently, an all-women SIT of IPS officers is probing the case. The incident occurred on December 23, when a 19-year-old engineering student and her male friend were attacked on the university campus.
As per the girl’s complaint, the assailant brutally assaulted the male companion before dragging her into nearby shrubs and sexually assaulting her.
Police have arrested Gnanasekaran (37), a roadside vendor with a long criminal history, in connection with the case. The accused also recorded a video of the assault and used it to blackmail the girl.
The incident has triggered a massive outrage in Tamil Nadu with the BJP attacking Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and seeking justice for the student.
The saffron party claimed that several leaders of the Tamil Nadu BJP Mahila Morcha were either detained or put under “house arrest” by the police when they attempted to take out a rally from Madurai to Chennai seeking action in the case.