A court in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has sentenced all nine accused in the notorious 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case to life imprisonment. The case, which shook the state, involved the heinous crimes of rape and gang rape, falling under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and its related subsections.
Sessions Judge R Nandhini Devi of the Coimbatore court delivered the judgment, sentencing the following accused to life imprisonment:
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- K Thirunavukkarasu
- N Sabarirajan alias Rishwanth
- M Sathish
- T Vasanthakumar
- R Manivannan
- Haronimus Paul
- P Babu alias Bike Babu
- K Arulanandham
- M Arunkumar
The court's decision came after detailed arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defense. The accused were found guilty of committing the offences of rape and gang rape against several women, exploiting them using social media.
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The Pollachi sexual assault and blackmail case first came to light in 2019, exposing a horrifying series of crimes. A group of men, posing as friends, used social media platforms to connect with hundreds of women. After gaining their trust, the gang sexually assaulted the victims, recorded offensive videos, and then used these videos to blackmail them for continued exploitation.
"The court has ensured that justice is delivered to the victims by sentencing all accused to life imprisonment." – Judge R Nandhini Devi
One of the primary victims who filed the complaint was a 19-year-old college student. Her case brought the gang’s activities into the spotlight. Shockingly, the gang was found to have been engaged in such criminal acts since 2013, targeting numerous women and using the explicit videos to force them into silence.
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The sentencing of the nine accused brings some closure to the victims and their families. The case had drawn widespread public attention due to the shocking nature of the crimes and the sheer number of victims involved. The court’s judgment stands as a strong message against such heinous crimes.
