Chennai POCSO: Madras HC orders Tamil Nadu govt to submit compensation report

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu state government to submit a report detailing the compensation to be provided to the child survivor in the Anna Nagar sexual abuse case. The report has to be submitted within a week, the court ordered. The court issued the directive while reviewing the progress of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case.

During the hearing on Monday, March 10, the SIT informed the court that an investigation is underway regarding the unauthorised leak of an audio clip involving the survivor.

The SIT had earlier filed a chargesheet against the primary accused, Sathish, and AIADMK party worker Sudhakar, who was allegedly involved in shielding the accused. They also arrested Anna Nagar All Women’s Police Station (AWPS) Inspector Raji who allegedly aided the accused by delaying the accused’s arrest. Raji is also accused of intimidating the parents of the survivor. 

The survivor’s mother had alleged that Inspector Raji had physically assaulted her when she attempted to report the sexual abuse in August 2024. The investigation under Raji came under severe scrutiny when the police released an audio clip of the survivor, raising concerns over procedural violations and the child's privacy.

Taking suo-motu cognisance of the case, the Madras High Court intervened in September 2024. On October 1, the court transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, the Supreme Court later stayed this order and instead appointed the SIT to continue the probe.

The case is scheduled for its next hearing in the Madras High Court on March 17.