Pollachi Sexual Assault Case: All 9 Accused Sentenced to Life Imprisonment, Court Awards ₹85 Lakh Compensation to Victims
Pollachi Sexual Assault Case: All 9 Accused Sentenced to Life Imprisonment, Court Awards ₹85 Lakh Compensation to Victims
Coimbatore, May 13: In a landmark judgment, the Coimbatore Mahila Court on Tuesday sentenced all nine accused in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case to life imprisonment till death, marking a significant step in Tamil Nadu’s fight against crimes against women. The court also directed the Coimbatore District Legal Services Authority to disburse ₹85 lakh in compensation to the victims.
Judge R. Nandhini Devi delivered the verdict after a six-year-long legal battle, convicting the accused on multiple serious charges including rape, gang rape, sexual assault, extortion, and criminal conspiracy. Each of the nine convicts was also fined ₹1.5 lakh.
Sentencing Details:
N Sabarirajan (A1): 4 life sentences
K Thirunavukkarasu (A2): 5 life sentences
M Sathish (A3): 3 life sentences
T Vasanthakumar (A4): 2 life sentences
R Manivannan (A5): 5 life sentences
P Babu (A6): 1 life sentence
Haronimus Paul (A7): 3 life sentences
Arulanandam (A8): 1 life sentence
M Arunkumar (A9): 1 life sentence
The convicts had pleaded for leniency citing their youth and family responsibilities, but the Special Public Prosecutor for the CBI, Surendra Mohan, urged the court to impose the maximum punishment to deter such heinous crimes. “This sentence should send a strong message and instil fear in those who think they can get away with such acts,” he said.
Case Background:
The case first came to light in February 2019 when Pollachi police arrested four men for sexually assaulting and filming a college student. Further investigations revealed a larger criminal network targeting numerous women. The gang used the videos to blackmail and extort the victims for sex and money.
The case sparked public outrage across Tamil Nadu, especially after one of the videos surfaced online. Political pressure and public demands led to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) taking over the probe. The CBI eventually arrested nine individuals and filed a 1,500-page charge sheet under multiple sections of the IPC, including sexual violence and conspiracy.
Tight Security and Public Sentiment:
The verdict announcement saw heavy police presence at the Coimbatore court complex, with large crowds gathering early in anticipation. All nine convicts were transferred under tight security from Salem Central Prison to Coimbatore Central Prison earlier in the day and were produced before the court.
During the hearing, Judge Nandhini Devi reviewed case files, witness testimonies, and arguments from both sides before pronouncing the judgment at noon. The courtroom was sealed during proceedings for security reasons.
Members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), who have long supported the victims and demanded justice, distributed sweets and lauded the court’s ruling as a “milestone verdict.”
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