In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court on Saturday authorized the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged assault at Anna University and the subsequent leak of the First Information Report (FIR). The SIT, comprising women officers from the Indian Police Service (IPS) including Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and Brinda, was formed under the supervision of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and V. Lakshmi Narayanan.
The court’s decision comes in the wake of an alarming incident where a second-year female student was allegedly assaulted on the night of December 23 within the university premises. The gravity of the situation was compounded by the leakage of sensitive information through a press conference conducted without appropriate governmental permissions, sparking significant public outrage and raising concerns over the handling of such sensitive cases.
Addressing the immediate needs of the victim, the High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide her with compensation of 25 lakh INR for the mental trauma suffered due to the FIR leak. Furthermore, Anna University has been instructed to offer the victim free education, hostel facilities, and counseling to support her continued academic pursuits amidst the ordeal.
Justice Subramaniam emphasized the imperative of preventing future leaks of FIRs, especially in cases involving sexual offenses against women and children. The court’s directive extended to the state’s Director-General of Police, mandating measures to safeguard the confidentiality of victims and the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The High Court also settled two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) related to the case, reflecting a proactive judicial approach to addressing systemic issues in handling crimes of such a sensitive nature. In response to the situation, the court provided clear guidelines to ensure that any media communication about ongoing investigations should be duly authorized by the government, aiming to prevent mishaps similar to the FIR leak.
Anna University’s legal representative, J. Ravindran, affirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting the victim and her family, highlighting ongoing counseling efforts to bolster her confidence and ensure her well-being.
