Chennai: In a dramatic operation that has ignited fierce political debate, three suspects accused of abducting and sexually assaulting a college student near Coimbatore airport were apprehended following a tense police encounter early Tuesday. The men—identified as Thavasi, Karthik, and Kaliswaran—sustained gunshot wounds to their legs during the confrontation and are now receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
The harrowing incident unfolded on Sunday when the victim, a student at a private institution in Coimbatore, was traveling in a vehicle alongside a male companion. According to authorities, the trio forcibly seized her, transported her to a secluded spot, and carried out the assault, which has been described as a gang rape. A high-ranking police official revealed that investigators promptly assembled seven specialized units to track down the perpetrators, culminating in the swift arrests.
The case has thrust Tamil Nadu’s law enforcement under intense scrutiny, especially with assembly polls looming in early 2026. Opposition voices have unleashed a barrage of criticism against Chief Minister MK Stalin’s administration, decrying a perceived collapse in women’s security and policing standards.
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Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), the assembly’s Leader of the Opposition, lambasted the government, questioning, “Is there a functional police force under Chief Minister MK Stalin?” He vowed to stage demonstrations in Coimbatore and throughout the state. The BJP echoed these sentiments, organizing a rally in Coimbatore on Monday evening and pledging broader statewide actions. Party leader K Annamalai decried the episode as “utterly shocking,” accusing the DMK regime of fostering an environment where criminals operate without restraint. “Since the DMK government came to power in Tamil Nadu, such repeated crimes against women clearly show that anti-social elements have no fear whatsoever of the law or the police,” he posted on X. He further alleged a pattern of shielding offenders from ministers to officers, urging Stalin—who oversees the police portfolio—to “hang his head in shame” for prioritizing regime critics over public safety.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay, head of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), joined the chorus, imploring Stalin to “wake up” and address the erosion of order. “Where is law and order and public safety?” he demanded, drawing parallels to the still-fresh scars from the Anna University assault last December, where the perpetrator recently received a life sentence.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson weighed in sharply, branding the Coimbatore outrage “a failure by the state police” and invoking the infamous Nirbhaya case with a poignant query: “How many more Nirbhayas?”
In response, the ruling DMK and top police brass have rebutted claims of escalating sexual offenses, emphasizing rigorous responses to such violations. DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah pointed to accelerated trials and decisive measures, as evidenced by the recent Anna University conviction. “Despite several measures, these unfortunate incidents happen against women, and in every such case swift and stringent action is being taken,” he stated. “We should see this amid the larger rise in crime against women across the country.”
As investigations proceed, the episode underscores persistent challenges in safeguarding vulnerable citizens amid a polarized political landscape.