SC Stays Execution Of Man Awarded Death Penalty For Repeated Sexual Assault Of Minor Girls

The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of a man awarded the death penalty for repeatedly sexually assaulting three minor girls living in his neighbourhood, pending consideration of his appeal.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih and Sandeep Mehta also directed a psychological evaluation and multiple in-person interviews with the appellant, Anandhasekar, to collect information relevant to sentencing.

Court was hearing Anandhasekar’s appeal against the Madras High Court’s June 30, 2026 judgment, which upheld the trial court’s conviction and death sentence under the POCSO Act.

Stay on the execution

The Bench ordered that the execution of the death sentence would remain stayed until the hearing and final disposal of the appeal.

“The execution of the death sentence shall remain stayed pending the hearing and final disposal of the present appeal. The original record of the case be summoned from the Trial Court and the High Court,” Court directed.

Court also directed the State of Tamil Nadu to place before it, within 16 weeks, the reports of all Probation Officers relating to Anandhasekar.

The Superintendent of Central Prison, Palayamkottai, where Anandhasekar is lodged, was also directed to submit reports on the nature of work performed by him in jail and his conduct and behaviour during his incarceration, within 16 weeks.

Psychological evaluation of death-row convict

The Bench directed the Head of Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital to constitute a suitable team to conduct a psychological evaluation of Anandhasekar.

The evaluation report is to be submitted to the Supreme Court through the Standing Counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu within 16 weeks.

The Bench also directed V S Varunanvelu, associated with the Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law, to have access to Anandhasekar in prison and conduct multiple in-person interviews to collect information relevant to sentencing.

Varunanvelu has been directed to prepare and submit a Mitigation Investigation Report on behalf of Anandhasekar through his Advocate-on-Record within 20 weeks.

The prison authorities have been directed to ensure that the interviews are conducted in a separate space to maintain confidentiality. No prison official or police staff should be within earshot during the interviews, Court said.

Court also permitted the use of audio recorders during the interviews.

“A person nominated by Varunanvelu is permitted to accompany him during the interview,” the Bench ordered.

Varunanvelu was also permitted to obtain documents relating to Anandhasekar, including medical records, jail conduct records and certificates concerning any educational, vocational or employment opportunities undertaken by him, which may be relevant for sentencing.

The Supreme Court directed that all reports be duly compiled and placed before it on the next date of hearing. The matter has been directed to be listed after 20 weeks.

What was the case against Anandhasekar?

The Madras High Court had upheld Anandhasekar’s conviction for repeatedly subjecting three girls, aged six, seven and eight, to aggravated penetrative sexual assault. It held that the offences constituted one of the “rarest of rare cases” warranting capital punishment.

According to the prosecution, Anandhasekar was a neighbour of the three girls and took advantage of the fact that their parents were daily-wage labourers who left home for work every morning.

On Saturdays, when the children gathered near the house of one of the victim’s grandmothers, Anandhasekar allegedly took them inside the house, locked the door and repeatedly subjected them to aggravated penetrative sexual assault. He allegedly threatened the girls with a knife to ensure that they remained silent.

According to the prosecution, the abuse continued for nearly a year before it came to light.

How did the alleged abuse come to light?

The incident came to light on February 26, 2023, when one of the girls ran into her house after seeing Anandhasekar.

Another child later spoke about his conduct while talking to a friend. The conversation was overheard by the child’s mother, who questioned the girls and learnt that all three had allegedly been abused.

She thereafter informed the other families and approached the police, leading to registration of the FIR.

Case Title: Anandhasekar Vs State of Tamil Nadu

Bench: Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih and Sandeep Mehta

Date of order: September 21, 2026