Annamalai alleges cop, DMK leader aided Anna University assault case convict

A day after the Madras High Court sentenced Gnanasekaran to 30 years rigorous imprisonment in the Anna University sexual assault case, former BJP state president K Annamalai made explosive allegations, claiming a larger cover-up involving senior police officers and a DMK minister.

In a 15-minute video posted on social media, Annamalai demanded answers from the DMK government over what he described as “possible destruction of evidence” and “a perfect sketch” to protect powerful individuals.

He claimed that call records from the convict’s phone raise serious questions about post-crime communication with police officers and party functionaries.

“After switching off airplane mode, Gnanasekaran’s first call at 8:53 pm on December 23 was to a police inspector. Why did he contact the officer immediately after committing the crime?” Annamalai asked, saying he would reveal the officer’s identity in 48 hours if the government did not respond.

Annamalai further alleged that Gnanasekaran, on the morning of December 24, made six calls to Kottur Shanmugam, a senior DMK functionary in the area, between 7.27 am and 4.01 pm, hours before he was detained and then allegedly released by the Kotturpuram Police. “He even called Shanmugam again after leaving the police station. Why was he let go? Was it to destroy video and phone evidence?” he said.

The BJP leader claimed that Shanmugam, shortly after Gnanasekaran’s release, made a call to Tamil Nadu Minister for Health Ma Subramanian at 8.32 pm.

He also pointed to 13 phone conversations between Shanmugam and a university gate authority named Natarajan between December 23 and 25. “Why were these calls made? What was discussed? Why wasn’t any of this investigated?” he questioned.

Annamalai said one of the 11 sections under which the SIT filed charges includes destruction of evidence and asked what evidence had been tampered with. “December 24 night is the most crucial phase. Why was Gnanasekaran released and rearrested the same day?”

He also accused police officers of discouraging the survivor from filing an FIR, allegedly telling her it would “ruin her life,” and delaying the registration of the case by a full day.

“I hit myself with a whip, considering myself her brother. The Chief Minister must answer. Why were others not investigated? The victim’s courage got us this verdict, but many questions remain,” Annamalai said.

On Monday, Public Prosecutor Mary Jeyanthi clarified that the verdict was based on robust evidence, and Gnanasekaran was the sole accused. She said the phone was central to the case and forensic analysis confirmed it had been in flight mode during the crime.

“There is no other accused. All evidence – witness statements, documents, scientific proof – point to one man. Any claim to the contrary is contempt of court,” Jeyanthi said, urging against speculation.