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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi court pulls up Tihar Jail authorities over missing threat report of Agusta accused
Calling it a matter of serious concern, a Delhi court on Monday asked the Tihar Jail authorities to produce the original inquiry report file pertaining to the alleged threats to Christian James Michel, the British national accused in the AgustaWestland chopper case. The court expressed concern that the report, which was prepared following a complaint of a poisoning attempt inside jail, was still missing despite multiple hearings where the issue of Michel's safety was flagged. Special judge Sanjay Jindal, hearing the matter at Rouse Avenue Court, said it was a 'serious concern' that the inquiry file pertaining to alleged threats faced by Michel from fellow inmate Shahnawaz remained untraceable six years later. Michel is accused of acting as a middleman in the controversial helicopter deal and is facing proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act and money laundering charges. 'Let the Director General (Prisons), Tihar Jail, be asked to trace and produce the above inquiry file. In case the file is still not traceable, then a report regarding the facts and circumstances leading to the untraceability of the inquiry file be submitted on the next date of hearing,' ordered the court, listing the matter next for July 7. The court also directed Tihar jail authorities to ensure all necessary safeguards for Michel's safety are in place, even as he continues to remain lodged in prison despite being granted bail in both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases. Also Read: Delhi court asks Tihar jail to submit inquiry file on security of Christian Michel The fresh direction came in response to a reply from Tihar jail, which stated that despite best efforts, the original case file of the inquiry conducted by then DG (Prisons) Rajesh Chopra could not be located. The 2019 inquiry was ordered after Michel alleged that a fellow inmate, Shahnawaz -- who had multiple serious criminal cases and 41 misconduct complaints against him, had attempted to poison him in jail number 1. At the time, Michel had flagged the issue to the British High Commission, triggering an internal probe. However, jail authorities later claimed the inquiry concluded there was no threat to Michel's life. Despite this, the matter resurfaced earlier this year when Michel, through his counsel Aljo K Joseph, filed an application seeking reconsideration of the findings of that report. He argued that the conclusions of the inquiry contradicted the statements of various witnesses recorded during the proceedings. The court agreed to summon the file for better clarity. The original direction to produce the report came in April from special judge Sanjeev Aggarwal (now transferred), who observed that the complaint, if true, was of 'serious concern,' noting Michel's claim that it was a pre-planned conspiracy to eliminate him inside jail. 'It will be expedient in the interest of justice that the said inquiry file, on the basis of which the inquiry report dated August 29, 2019, was given, be called from the Senior Law Officer of Prison Headquarters through DG (Prisons),' judge Aggarwal had said. In that hearing, the jail superintendent had informed the court that both Michel and Shahnawaz were now lodged in separate jails, and Michel was in a safe environment. The superintendent confirmed that the two shared the same ward for ten months in 2019, but Shahnawaz had since been moved. Judge Aggarwal had also pulled up jail officials then for allowing Michel to share a cell with a hardened criminal, remarking that such lapses 'bring a bad name to the country.' Michel remains in judicial custody even after the Delhi High Court last month relaxed his bail conditions, allowing him to furnish a personal bond of ₹5 lakh and a cash surety of ₹10 lakh, in place of a local surety bond, which his lawyer said was impossible as Michel had no contacts in India to stand surety for him. James was extradited on December 4, 2018, from Dubai, where he spent four months in custody.
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Chilling Timeline Of Raja Raghuvanshis Killing Revealed
The vanishing of an Indore newlywed couple on their honeymoon in Meghalaya has turned into a murder case of sensational dimensions, with police claiming that Sonam Raghuvanshi had planned the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, in league with her paramour and contract killers. Five arrests have resulted from a multi-state probe in a crime so professionally organised. Honeymoon Turns Deadly Raja, 26, and Sonam, 24, tied the knot in an arranged wedding in Indore on May 11, 2025. They had planned to tour Kashmir but changed their honeymoon plans to Meghalaya and checked into a hotel in Shillong on May 22 after visiting Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Sonam spoke to her mother-in-law on May 23, mentioning a fast and travel plans, before her phone went out of reach, as did Raja's. On the same day, a village head reported a rented scooter abandoned near a dhaba in Sohra, raising alarm. Grim Discovery And Investigation On May 24, Vipin, Raja's brother, reported the couple missing in Shillong. Search parties, including the NDRF and SDRF, combed the East Khasi Hills under heavy rain. On May 27, the scooter of the couple was discovered near a cafe on the Shillong-Sohra road with two bags in a nearby gorge. On June 2, Raja's decomposed body was found inside a 100-foot-deep gorge in the vicinity of Weisawdong waterfall, which was identified by a "Raja" tattoo and smartwatch. A machete stained with blood, a woman's blouse, a strip of medicine, and a smashed phone screen were also discovered. Post-mortem examination found two significant head injuries inflicted with a sharp object, probably the machete, as the police called it, a device for cutting down trees. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem reiterated that the injuries indicated a premeditated attack. Arrests And Alleged Conspiracy Meghalaya Police accused Sonam of having conspired with her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha, who had employed three contract killers—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Patel—to kill Raja. Call records and CCTV footage uncovered Rajput, who was arrested in Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh, while Kushwaha and Chauhan were arrested in Indore, and Patel in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. On June 9, Sonam surrendered at a dhaba in Ghazipur, led by her brother, after going into hiding. Police alleged that Sonam brought Raja to an isolated road on May 23, where he was attacked by the killers. The four accused then left for Guwahati, lived for one day, and dispersed to avoid detection. The testimony of a local guide that reported seeing three Hindi-speaking men with the couple corroborates the police theory of a premeditated conspiracy. Sonam's Defense Sonam's father, Devi Singh, refuted the murder-for-hire charge, stating his daughter was kidnapped and robbed and awoke in Ghazipur with no recollection of the incident. He has called for a CBI inquiry, alleging Meghalaya Police framed her. But police point to technical evidence, such as repeated calls between Sonam and Kushwaha, as evidence of her complicity. Next Steps All the five accused—Sonam, Kushwaha, Rajput, Chauhan, and Patel—are being taken to Shillong for crime scene recreation and further interrogation. Meghalaya Police will arraign them after court procedures. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the prompt action of the police, highlighting the state's dedication to the safety of tourists even in the face of the high-profile case. The inquiry is ongoing, with one suspect missing, as the country comes to terms with the tragic deceit behind the honeymoon murder of Raja Raghuvanshi.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
'Made a scapegoat': IPS officer challenges suspension order over Bengaluru stampede
Days after being suspended over the tragic stampede near M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives, senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash has approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), questioning the legality and fairness of the disciplinary action against him, Times of India reported. Vikash, one of five senior officers suspended by the Karnataka government, argued that the suspension order lacks clarity on his individual responsibility in the incident and fails to establish any act of wilful negligence, the report added. (Also Read: Bengaluru stampede: IPS body demand revocation of suspension of 5 cops) In his petition, he described the action as arbitrary and claimed he was being made a 'scapegoat' for systemic failures. The government's suspension order, issued under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, accuses the officers of failing to enforce adequate crowd-control and safety measures during RCB's IPL victory celebration. While acknowledging the short notice at which the event was held, the order does not specify the precise lapses or decision-making attributed to Vikash. On the other hand, two separate open letters, released on Monday but coordinated in messaging, were addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The letters, signed by former Directors General of Police, ex-CBI and NSG chiefs, and senior retired civil servants, raised serious concerns about the suspension of five senior officers, including Dayananda. The signatories expressed deep disapproval over the government's move to punish senior police officials before the conclusion of the judicial inquiry into the incident. 'Disciplinary action, especially of such gravity, must follow a fair and detailed investigation, not precede it,' the letters stated. They pointed to the role of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in pushing for immediate post-IPL victory celebrations, despite warnings from the police about safety and crowd control challenges. According to the letters, the pressure to organise the event at short notice came from the event organisers, leaving law enforcement little time to prepare. The letters emphasised that police had issued cautionary advisories and flagged logistical concerns, which were allegedly overlooked by the event partners. (Also Read: RCB's social media buzz led to stampede, Karnataka government tells HC: Report)
