The Madras High Court has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the recent alleged sexual assault of a female student at Anna University. The SIT will consist entirely of women Indian Police Service (IPS) officers.
In addition, the court has instructed the state government to provide the victim with financial compensation amounting to ₹25 lakh. The directive came from a bench led by Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice V Lakshminarayan during the proceedings on a request to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The court emphasized that the incident should not impede the victim’s education, directing that Anna University must refrain from charging her any fees during this period. The sexual assault case, which has triggered significant public outrage and concern from various opposition groups and civil society, has already led to the arrest of one individual in connection with the event.
