In a landmark judgment today, the Mahila Court in Coimbatore found all 9 individuals accused in the high-profile Pollachi sexual assault case guilty of multiple serious offences.
The verdict was delivered by Judge R. Nandhini Devi, who is scheduled to pronounce the quantum of sentence at 12 noon, following final arguments from the prosecution and defence.
Accused Convicted On All Charges
The 9 convicted individuals are:
- N. Sabarirajan (alias Rishwanth), 32, of Jothi Nagar
- K. Thirunavukkarasu, 34, of Makkinampatti
- M. Sathish, 33, and T. Vasanthakumar, 30, of Suleeswaranpatti
- R. Mani (alias Manivannan), 32, and T. Haronimus Paul, 32, of Achipatti
- P. Babu, 33, of Mahalingapuram
- K. Arulanantham, 39, of Vadugapalayam
- M. Arunkumar, 33, of Panikkampatti
The charges against them included criminal conspiracy, sexual harassment, rape, gang rape, and repeated rape of the same victims. All nine were produced before the court under heavy security, having been transported from the Salem Central Prison earlier that morning.
Legal Implications
The prosecution, led by CBI Public Prosecutor Surenda Mohan, confirmed that the accused were charged under several grave sections of the Indian Penal Code, notably:
- Section 376D (gang rape), and
- Section 376(2)(n) (repeated rape on the same woman)
These provisions stipulate stringent sentencing.
Section 376D mandates rigorous imprisonment for not less than 20 years, extendable to life imprisonment for the remainder of the convict’s natural life, in addition to fines.
Mohan stated that the prosecution would advocate for the maximum possible sentence, arguing that the extreme nature and societal impact of the crimes warranted the harshest judicial response available under the law.
Broader Context
The Pollachi case, which first came to national attention in 2019, involved a systematic pattern of sexual exploitation where the accused reportedly lured women through social media and subjected them to horrific abuse, including blackmail and assault. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation in response to widespread public outcry and allegations of a broader criminal nexus.
This conviction marks a critical development in one of Tamil Nadu’s most notorious cases of sexual violence, underscoring the judiciary’s role in ensuring justice in cases of gender-based crimes.
The sentencing later today is expected to reflect both the legal gravity and societal outrage that has surrounded the case.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
