All 9 accused convicted in 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case that shook Tamil Nadu
In a verdict six years in the making, the Mahila Court in Coimbatore on Tuesday convicted all nine accused in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case. The nine men were found guilty of multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, sexual harassment, rape, gangrape, and extortion.
The incident, which came out just weeks before the 2029 general elections, led to Tamil Nadu's then ruling AIADMK getting politically cornered with allegations of inaction and links to the accused.
Judge R Nandhini Devi is expected to pronounce the sentence in the afternoon, following arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
The convicted individuals were K Thirunavukkarasu, N Sabarirajan alias Rishwanth, M Sathish, T Vasanthakumar, R Manivannan, Haronimus Paul, P Babu alias Bike Babu, K Arulanandham, and M Arunkumar. They were all brought to the court, under heavy security, from Salem Central Prison for the proceedings. Each has been charged under stringent provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376D (gangrape) and 376(2)(n) (repeated rape of the same woman), both of which carry a minimum sentence of 20 years, potentially extending to life imprisonment.
The prosecution, led by CBI special public prosecutor V Surendra Mohan, has called for the harshest punishment, stating the crimes were 'grave and methodically executed.' Eight victims testified, supported by 48 witnesses in total.
The probe had unearthed a disturbing pattern of coercion, sexual violence, and blackmail. The initial police probe was quickly transferred to the CB-CID and later to the CBI following public outrage.
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News18
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Honeymoon Murder Live Updates: Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of the Indore man, Raja Raghuvanshi, who was found dead in Meghalaya during their honeymoon, has surrendered to the Police in Uttar Pradesh, in connection to the murder of her husband. Sonam had reportedly gone missing after her husband's body was discovered in a gorge beneath the Weisawdong Falls parking lot in East Khasi Hills on June 2. After days of search, Sonam was located and taken into custody from Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh. She surrendered at the Nandganj police station late Sunday night. Here are the Live Updates on Honeymoon Murder: "Meghalaya Police Is Lying": Sonam's Father Calls For CBI Inquiry Sonam's family has strongly refuted the murder allegations. Her father, Devi Singh, maintains that his daughter is innocent and has called for an independent inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "My daughter is innocent. I have trust in my daughter. She cannot do this (kill her husband)... They got married with the consent of both families. The state (Meghalaya) government has been lying from the beginning. My daughter came to a dhaba in Ghazipur last night and she called her went to the dhaba, and she was taken from there. I have not been able to speak to my daughter. Why will my daughter do such a thing? The Meghalaya Police is lying. My daughter reached Ghazipur on her own. She was not arrested in Meghalaya. Meghalaya Police is making up stories. Let the CBI inquiry begin, all officers at the police station (in Meghalaya) will be behind bars," he said. Jun 09, 2025 10:01 (IST) Sonam "Surrendered Under Pressure": Police Sonam Raghuvanshi, the woman who is suspected to be involved in the murder of her husband, Indore-based Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, "surrendered under pressure," the police said. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Dalton P Marak, stated, "Sonam surrendered under pressure last night, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to four. One accused remains missing. Sonam will be brought back to Meghalaya for court proceedings." Jun 09, 2025 09:59 (IST) Honeymoon, Murder, Frantic Search, Timeline Of Indore Couple Meghalaya Visit Newly wed Indore couple -- Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam -- visited some areas during their honeymoon in Meghalaya before they went missing on May 23. While Raja Raghuvanshi's body was found in a gorge on June 2, his wife was arrested this morning for the alleged murder of her husband. The couple married on May 11 and left for their honeymoon on May 20. Here is what happened after that: May 21, 6 pm: Shillong The couple reached Balaji Guest House in Meghalaya's capital Shillong and checked in. 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"Well Done Meghalaya Police": Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Congratulated For A Breakthrough Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice in the Raja murder case … 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant .. well done #meghalayapolice — Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 9, 2025 Jun 09, 2025 09:40 (IST) Share Indore Couple Goes Missing In Meghalyaa, Wife Surrenders After Husband's Killing The 'missing' wife of Indore man - Raja Raghuvanshi, who was found dead in Meghalaya during their honeymoon, has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of her husband, officials said on Monday. According to the police, the wife, Sonam, allegedly orchestrated the murder by hiring contract killers. Officials said they found Sonam in an unconscious state on Saturday night at a 'dhaba' in Ghazipur. She was taken to the Ghazipur Medical College for treatment, where she surrendered before the police, and was subsequently arrested. Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang said that they arrested three other accused in overnight raids. While one person was found in Uttar Pradesh, the other two were arrested from Indore. The accused have told the police that they were hired by Sonam to kill her husband.
