Three Accused in Coimbatore Gang Rape Case Arrested After Police Encounter

In a swift development following a shocking case of gang rape, the Coimbatore City Police have apprehended three men accused of the heinous crime. The arrests followed a dramatic police encounter where the accused were shot in the leg after allegedly attacking a police officer while attempting to escape custody.

The three arrested individuals have been identified as Guna alias Thavasi, Karupasamy alias Satheesh, and Kaleeswaran alias Karthik. They are accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 20-year-old postgraduate college student near the Coimbatore International Airport late on Sunday night.

The Horrific Incident

According to police reports, the disturbing incident occurred when the victim and her male friend were in a car parked at an isolated spot near Brindhavan Nagar, behind the airport.

• Attack and Abduction: The three accused, who arrived on a moped (which the police later confirmed was stolen), allegedly broke the car’s windshield and violently attacked the male friend with weapons. They then abducted the woman, forcing her onto their moped and taking her to a secluded area about a kilometre away.
• Sexual Assault: The victim was then allegedly gang-raped by the three men. The injured friend managed to alert the Peelamedu police, who launched a massive search operation late on Sunday night.
• Rescue and Search: The woman was eventually located and rescued by police around 4 AM on Monday. She was immediately taken to a private hospital for treatment. The accused had fled the scene, leaving behind the stolen moped.

Encounter and Arrest

Following the horrific crime, the Coimbatore City Police formed multiple special teams to track down the perpetrators. The investigation, which included checking numerous CCTV footages and showing photographs of individuals with criminal records to the survivor, eventually led the police to the suspects.

On Tuesday morning, the special teams located the three accused in the Vellakinar area near Thudiyalur.

• Attempted Escape and Attack: According to Coimbatore City Police Commissioner, A. Saravana Sundar, when the police team cornered the suspects, they allegedly attempted to escape and attacked the officers with sickles. Head Constable Chandrasekhar was injured on his left wrist and arm during the confrontation.
• Police Firing: In response to the assault and attempted escape, the police opened fire, shooting the three accused in their legs.
• Hospitalisation: The injured officer and the three accused—Guna, Karupasamy, and Kaleeswaran—were subsequently admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment under police custody.

Political Outrage and Demand for Safety

The shocking nature of the crime has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across Tamil Nadu. Political leaders and women’s rights organisations have vehemently criticised the deteriorating law and order situation and called for stringent action against the culprits.

• Protests and Demands: BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan and other political figures visited the crime scene, demanding better protection and safety measures from the authorities, contesting the police’s initial description of the area as “remote.”
• Safety Concerns: The incident has reignited the critical discussion on women’s safety in public spaces, particularly in areas perceived to be isolated or poorly policed.

The swift arrest of the accused is being seen as a crucial step towards justice, but the incident has left a deep scar, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and security measures to prevent such heinous crimes in the future. Further investigation into the backgrounds of the accused, who are reportedly from Madurai district and engaged in construction work, is currently underway.