Pollachi Sexual Assault Case Verdict: All 9 Accused Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Pollachi Case Verdict: 9 Convicted with Life Imprisonment

Pollachi Sexual Assault Case: All 9 Accused Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – A long-standing and disturbing case of sexual assault that shook the state in 2019 finally reached its legal conclusion on Tuesday. The Women’s Special Court in Coimbatore has sentenced all nine accused to life imprisonment until death.

The Incident That Shocked Tamil Nadu

In 2019, a group of young women and college students were reportedly assaulted and filmed without consent in Pollachi, located in Coimbatore district. The footage was later circulated, and disturbing audio clips began circulating on social media, sparking widespread outrage across the state.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

After the initial complaints were lodged by the survivors at Pollachi Town Police Station, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case due to its sensitive and wide-reaching nature. The accused—Sabarirajan (30), Vasanthakumar (32), Sathish (33), Manivannan (30), Thirunavukkarasu (30), Ileren Paul (34), Babu alias Bike Babu (38), Arulanandam (38), and Arunkumar (36)—were all arrested and remanded in Salem Central Jail during the course of the investigation.

They faced serious charges under 13 sections of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant laws, including sexual assault, criminal conspiracy, confinement, making and distributing obscene videos, and destruction of evidence.

The Court Verdict

After a prolonged legal process, Judge Nandini Devi of the Coimbatore Mahila (Women’s) Special Court pronounced the final verdict. All nine individuals were found guilty and were sentenced to life imprisonment till their natural death. The judgment was delivered after extensive hearings and witness testimonies.

The court also rejected a plea from the defense seeking leniency based on the convicts’ age. Security was tightened at the Coimbatore Combined Court Complex as all the accused were brought in person for the final verdict.

Compensation and Evidence

The court ordered a total compensation of ₹85 lakhs to be distributed among the survivors, with individual compensations ranging between ₹10 and ₹15 lakhs under Sections 376D and 376N. Government legal representatives highlighted that the prosecution examined 48 witnesses, and all the survivors testified voluntarily.

Electronic evidence was crucial in the conviction, as the investigation team managed to recover deleted videos that verified the identities of the accused and supported the survivors' claims. The authenticity of the digital evidence significantly impacted the outcome of the trial.

Impact and Closing Remarks

This high-profile case has been a stark reminder of the importance of robust legal processes, digital forensics, and survivor support systems. The verdict brings closure to one of Tamil Nadu’s most disturbing criminal cases in recent memory, reinforcing trust in the justice system and signaling zero tolerance for crimes against women.