‘Anna University sexual assault case is being politicised’, says Madras HC
The Madras High Court on Thursday said that the sexual assault case at Anna University is “being politicised”.
The observation was made during a hearing where the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)’s counsel voiced concerns over the police denying permission for a planned protest in Chennai regarding the incident.
“Anna University sexual assault case is being politicised. There is no genuine concentration on women’s safety,” the court said.
Justice P Velmurugan of the Madras High Court criticised the media for its lack of responsibility in handling the issue, noting that a ‘media trial’ had been conducted on news channels since the incident surfaced last month. He said, “I’m not saying that the media should not report on the issue but definitely not the way in which they are doing.”
Emphasising that his remarks were made not as a High Court Judge but as a fellow human being, Justice Velmurugan said, “I’m ashamed to live in this era when discrimination based on gender, caste, and so on continues. All of us should be ashamed. Strictly speaking, we all are co-accused in such crimes.”