An all-female IPS officers’ SIT was established by the Madras High Court on Saturday to look into the FIR leak case and an alleged sexual assault case at Anna University.
An all-female IPS officers’ SIT, consisting of Sneha Priya, Ayman Jamal, and Brinda, is formed by Justices SM Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court to investigate both instances.
Judges ordered the Tamil Nadu government to compensate the victim for the suffering brought on by the FIR leak with Rs 25 lakh. Additionally, the court ordered Anna University to provide the victim free schooling, boarding, housing, and counseling so she may finish her studies.
The Tamil Nadu DGP was ordered by the court to make sure that future FIR leaks in instances involving sexual offenses against women and children don’t happen. The two petitions for public interest litigation are decided by judges.
Judges further ordered the state government to take appropriate action against the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police for holding the news conference and providing the media with information about the inquiry.
Attorney General PS Raman said that a “technical glitch” on the part of NIC, the national informatics center that deals with CCTNS, may have caused the FIR to leak.
According to him, the police have located 14 individuals who had access to the FIR and were exchanging information, including the victim’s name. He urges the public and print media to take responsibility for protecting the privacy of victims of crimes against women, children, acid attacks, and other crimes.
The Bench questioned the police’s decision to speak to the media without authorization.
“Suppose we are attending a marriage function and someone takes pictures, can you say have acquaintance with that person?” the court queried in response to attorney GS Mani’s assertion that the images depict accused people with high-ranking officials, such as the Deputy CM. We care more about the victim than pictures.
Additionally In response to the court’s inquiry, the AG said, “Unit heads- district collectors, SPs and Commissioners of Police-can address the press; they did not get prior permission from the government; Chennai city police Arun addressed the press only to allay fears in the minds of students.”
He said that police had not disclosed any information about the FIR and that it is their first duty to preserve the victim’s identity and confidentiality.
AG also submitted two reports, one in a “sealed cover” with investigations and other facts.
We are with the victim, we spoke with her parents, and the university administration is in constant communication with the victim and her parents,” said J Ravindran, additional AG for Anna University. Cop Arun responded to a query by stating that “as of now” just one individual is implicated, although he did not intend to imply that this was the sole accused.
The additional AG asked that the petitioners’ attorneys refrain from disclosing to the public the details of the case and the court proceedings.
According to him, a committee has been established by the institution to discuss potential safety and security measures.
On the evening of December 23, a guy is accused of sexually assaulting a second-year Anna University student on campus. In relation to the matter, one person has been taken into custody.
The Madras High Court took suo motu cognisance of an alleged sexual assault on an Anna University student earlier on Friday.
After an attorney named R Varalakshmi submitted a plea, a division bench consisting of Justices SM Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayanan started the suo motu suit. However, since the Chief Justice wanted to list the case, the bench decided not to issue any orders.
