Anna University Sexual Assault Case Being Politicised, Political Parties Protesting For Media Attention: Madras High Court Remarks Orally

Justice P Velmurugan commented that instead of taking the incident as a wake-up call to focus on the atrocities against women and taking measures against the same, the issue was being politicized without any genuine concern. The court also criticized the media for conducting a 'media trial' and not acting responsibly.

The court made the oral comments when Advocate K Balu mentioned a case regarding denial of permission for protest by the Women's Wing of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party to condemn the incident.

Remarking that conducting protests will not help in any way, the judge remarked that the political parties in the State were organizing protests merely for media attention and not out of concern for women's safety. Though Balu tried to reason that the protest was for protecting the women, the judge commented that such usage of the word would only show that women are not treated equally and the mindset should change.

Noting that the court had already constituted an SIT comprising of all women officers to investigate the issue, the judge added that if the investigation is not carried out in an appropriate manner, the court would take appropriate action. Thus, the court was not inclined to direct state to grant protection.