Tamil Nadu’s darkest chapter ends: All nine Pollachi assault accused sentenced to life, justice finally served

In a moment of judicial reckoning, the Mahila Court in Coimbatore on May 13 convicted all nine accused in the horrific 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case, sentencing them to life imprisonment. The conviction brings to a close a six-year-long pursuit of justice for the victims, who were subjected to horrific sexual violence, blackmail, and extortion.

The accused, all men from Pollachi, were found guilty on multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, sexual harassment, rape, gang rape, and extortion. The brutal crimes, which first came to light just weeks before the 2019 general elections, sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu, exposing systemic failures and sparking widespread political fallout for the then-ruling AIADMK party, accused of turning a blind eye to the victims' plight.

In a court session filled with heightened tension, Judge R Nandhini Devi delivered the life sentences after considering the arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. The convicted men — K Thirunavukkarasu, N Sabarirajan alias Rishwanth, M Sathish, T Vasanthakumar, R Manivannan, Haronimus Paul, P Babu alias Bike Babu, K Arulanandham, and M Arunkumar — were brought to the courtroom under heavy security, transported from Salem Central Prison for the sentencing.

The prosecution, led by CBI special public prosecutor V Surendra Mohan, called for the harshest possible penalty, underlining the “methodical and grave” nature of the crimes. The court heard testimonies from eight victims, backed by 48 witnesses, who courageously laid bare the harrowing pattern of coercion, repeated sexual violence, and blackmail orchestrated by the accused.

The investigation, initially mishandled by local authorities, was swiftly transferred to the CB-CID, and eventually to the CBI, following public outrage and demands for a more rigorous probe.

The severity of the crimes — particularly gang rape and repeated assault on a single victim —meant that each of the men faced charges under the Indian Penal Code’s most stringent provisions, including Section 376D (gang rape) and Section 376(2)(n) (repeated rape of the same woman). These sections carry a minimum sentence of 20 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment, as was duly applied in the verdict.

The case has become emblematic of the battle for justice in cases of sexual violence in India, where the long road to justice is often marred by delays, political interference, and societal indifference. However, with this verdict, the court has delivered a hard-fought victory for the victims, sending a stark message about accountability in cases of gendered violence.

As Tamil Nadu reflects on this watershed moment, the Pollachi case stands as a poignant reminder of the necessity for unwavering legal and political will in confronting sexual violence and securing justice for survivors.