In a dramatic late-night operation on Tuesday, the Coimbatore Police arrested three men accused of the sexual assault and abduction of a college student, an incident that has shocked Tamil Nadu and sparked widespread political outrage.
The arrests followed an encounter in which police had to open fire, shooting the three suspects in the leg as they allegedly attempted to escape.
Details of the Crime and The Encounter
- The Incident: The alleged assault took place on Sunday night near the Coimbatore International Airport. The female college student was in a car with her male friend when the three men approached, allegedly assaulted the friend, and abducted her. The male friend, despite being injured, was able to inform the police, which allowed officers to quickly launch a search and locate the victim, who was then taken to a hospital.
- The Abduction: Police reports indicate the accused broke the car window, attacked the male friend, and then took the student to a secluded area where the sexual assault allegedly occurred.
- The Manhunt: The Peelamedu police tracked the suspects by analyzing CCTV footage, ultimately locating them at an isolated spot in Vellakinaru, on the outskirts of Coimbatore city.
- The Shooting: According to Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Saravana Sundar, when officers closed in, the men attempted to escape and attacked the police team, injuring a head constable. The police were then forced to open fire, shooting the accused in the legs to stop them.
- Injuries: One of the accused was shot in one leg, while the other two sustained injuries in both legs. The injured head constable was also taken for treatment.
- The Accused: The arrested individuals have been identified as Guna (alias Thavasi), Karuppasamy (alias Satheesh), and Karthik (alias Kaleeswaran). They were all sent to the Government Hospital (GH) Coimbatore for medical treatment under custody.
Political Reaction and Investigation
The horrific nature of the crime has led to widespread condemnation and demands for swift justice:
- Outrage: The incident has triggered a political storm in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties criticizing the DMK government over the deterioration of law and order and the safety of women.
- Investigation Status: All three accused have been arrested, and police have launched a further investigation to gather more details regarding the incident and the background of the accused. The police had reportedly formed seven special teams for the extensive manhunt.