Chennai: In a landmark verdict that has drawn national attention, a sessions court in Coimbatore has convicted all nine men accused in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault and blackmail case. The court, presided over by Judge R Nandhini Devi, found the accused guilty of multiple counts of gangrape, repeated sexual assault, and criminal intimidation. Sentencing is scheduled for noon, with the prosecution seeking life imprisonment for all convicts.
The convicted individuals—Sabarirajan alias Rishwanth (32), Thirunavukarasu (34), T. Vasantha Kumar (30), M. Sathish (33), R. Mani alias Manivannan, P. Babu (33), Haron Paul (32), Arulanantham (39), and Arun Kumar (33)—have been held in Salem Central Prison since their arrests in 2019. They were brought to the court under tight security, with heightened police presence across Coimbatore and at the court complex.
The prosecution’s case was built on extensive evidence, including over 200 documents and more than 400 pieces of digital proof, such as forensic-validated videos of the assaults. The testimonies of the eight survivors, supported by this digital evidence, played a crucial role in securing the convictions. Notably, none of the witnesses turned hostile, and their safety was ensured under the Witness Protection Act.
Despite the horrifying scope of the crimes, only eight survivors came forward to officially report the assaults, highlighting the persistent stigma and fear that often prevent victims from seeking justice.
Women’s rights groups welcomed the verdict as a critical step toward justice but emphasized the need for comprehensive rehabilitation for the survivors. “While the convictions bring a sense of relief, these women need more than a legal victory. The government must provide them with counselling, financial support, and employment opportunities,” said a representative from the Tamil Nadu Women’s Collective.
The Pollachi Case: A Chilling Pattern of Abuse
The Pollachi case exposed a deeply disturbing pattern of sexual exploitation spanning from 2016 to 2018. The accused lured women—many of them young college students—into secluded locations, where they were sexually assaulted, filmed, and then blackmailed into further compliance with threats to release the videos.
Initially investigated by the Pollachi police, the case was later handed over to the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID), and subsequently transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following public outcry and demands for an impartial probe.
Throughout the investigation, officials uncovered a systemic abuse network, with survivors alleging repeated coercion and threats from the accused. The trial became a benchmark for how India’s legal system handles prolonged sexual violence cases, especially those entangled with blackmail and societal shame.
The political atmosphere surrounding the case also sparked controversy. The then-ruling AIADMK faced allegations of attempting to shield the accused and delaying the filing of the FIR—claims the party denied amid widespread criticism.
With today’s convictions, the case marks a significant victory for justice in gender-based violence cases. However, activists stress that the road to healing for survivors is far from over and that systemic reforms remain essential to ensure such crimes are never repeated.
