Police opened fire after the accused attacked them with sickles.
A horrific Coimbatore gang-rape case has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu, leading to a dramatic police encounter and the arrest of three suspects. The men, who allegedly raped a college student near the city airport, were shot in the legs by police after they violently resisted arrest.
The incident unfolded after special police teams tracked the accused - identified as Thavasi, Karuppasamy, and Kaaleeswaran - to a location near a temple. When officers moved in to arrest them, the trio allegedly attacked the police with sickles, injuring Head Constable Chandrasekhar. In response, police opened fire, injuring the three accused to prevent their escape.
Both the injured officer and the three accused were taken to the Coimbatore District Government Hospital for treatment.
Details of the Crime
The brutal crime occurred on Sunday night. The accused, who were reportedly under the influence of alcohol, targeted the college student and her friend while they were in a car. They attacked the friend, broke the car's glass, and forcibly abducted the woman. The men then took her to a secluded area near the airport, where the alleged gang-rape took place.
Police investigation revealed the accused have a history of serious criminal activity, including pending murder and theft cases. Two of them were reportedly out on bail.
Political Outrage
The incident has triggered widespread political outrage, raising serious questions about student safety and women safety in the state. Opposition parties, including the AIADMK and BJP, have strongly condemned the DMK-led government, claiming a breakdown in law and order. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and BJP leaders stated that such heinous Tamil Nadu crime shows that anti-social elements no longer fear the police.
The victim is currently receiving psychological counselling. The Coimbatore Police Commissioner has urged the media not to publish photos of the accused until a formal identification parade is completed.
