The Coimbatore Police have arrested three men accused of gang-raping a 20-year-old college student in a suburb of the city, city Commissioner Saravana Sundar confirmed on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Guna, Karuppasamy, and Karthik alias Kaleeswaran, were shot in the leg during an encounter while trying to escape and were taken to Coimbatore government hospital for treatment. A head constable was also injured in the incident.
The attack happened on Sunday night near Coimbatore International Airport when the victim and her friend were assaulted by the three men. The men allegedly kidnapped the student, sexually assaulted her, and then abandoned her. Her friend regained consciousness and alerted the police, leading to a rescue operation. According to officials, the attackers arrived in a vehicle and first attacked her friend before targeting the student.
BJP Mahila Morcha National President Vanathi Srinivasan visited the site and criticized the police for calling the area “remote.” She said the location is part of the city with nearby residential colonies and easy access for people. She added that the area has been used for anti-social activities and urged authorities to improve safety and security.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s General Secretary, Aadhav Arjuna, also condemned the incident, expressing shock and outrage over the alleged gang rape. He emphasised the need for safer public spaces for women and called for action against the perpetrators. In a post on X, he shared, “The news that a college student in Coimbatore has become a victim of gang rape and violence has caused immense shock. A student studying at a college in Coimbatore was talking with her friend near the Coimbatore airport last Sunday night. At that moment, three individuals who arrived there in an inebriated state severely assaulted the student’s friend who was seated in a car and abducted her.”
According to the TVK leader, the girl was rescued by Peelamedu police station officials after her friend regained consciousness and alerted the authorities. “Subsequently, they engaged in gang rape and violence in the same area. After a long time, the male friend regained consciousness and informed the Peelamedu police station through his cell phone. The police who arrived at the scene rescued the student and sent her to the hospital,” he added.
He said that this incident served as yet another proof of the unsafe situation that has now arisen in Tamil Nadu, to the extent that women cannot move freely in public spaces. ( with inputs from ANI)
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