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{{Short description|In Tamil Nadu, India}}
[[File:House where the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case occurred.png|thumb|250x250px|The farm house belonging to one of the accused where women were sexually assaulted and filmed]]

The '''Pollachi sexual assault case''' refers to a case of rape and extortion of numerous women by a gang in [[Pollachi]], [[Coimbatore]] in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The gang would entice women into isolated places after befriending them on social media and sexually assault them and film the act. The videos were later used to blackmail the women for sexual favors or money. The gang came into spotlight after the family of a 19-year-old college student who claimed to had been sexually assaulted and blackmailed complained to the police. According to media accounts, at least 200 women, including college and school teachers, doctors, higher secondary school students from all over the state, were sexually assaulted in the same manner. Police discovered dozens of video recordings of women being abused on the phone belonging to one of the accused. Some videos were leaked.

There were protests across the state organized by students, political parties and various organizations to bring the perpetrators to justice.
[[File:Demonstrations against Pollachi Sexual abuse case March 2019.jpg|thumb|290x290px|Demonstration to bring the perpetrators to justice, 2019]]
The police arrested four men who were alleged to be involved in the rape and extortion ring. The case was shifted to the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI), another man surrendered before the judicial magistrate and confessed to raping and blackmailing women. Later the five men were sent to the Salem central prison. The CBI arrested three more men involved in the incident in January 2021. The CBI made minimal progress before these arrests

On May 13, 2025, the Mahila Court in Coimbatore found all nine accused guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Wilson |date=2025-05-12 |title=Pollachi sexual assault case and trial {{!}} Explained |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-and-trial-explained/article69564805.ece |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="i973">{{cite web |last=Azeefa Fathima |first=Nandini Chandrashekar |date=13 May 2025 |title=Pollachi Sexual Assault Case Verdict |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/tn-court-convicts-nine-in-pollachi-sexual-assault-case |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=The News Minute}}</ref><ref name="r643">{{cite web |date=13 May 2025 |title=Pollachi rape-blackmail case: All you need to know about 2019 scandal that shocked Tamil Nadu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/what-is-pollachi-rape-case-all-you-need-to-know-verdict-key-facts/articleshow/121134017.cms |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> The court also ordered Tamil Nadu government pay a total compensation of {{INRConvert|85|l}} to eight survivors of sexual assault.<ref name="g189">{{cite web |last=Stalin |first=J Sam Daniel |date=13 May 2025 |title=Life Sentence For 9 Convicts In Tamil Nadu's 2019 Pollachi Sex Assault Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/all-nine-accused-convicted-in-high-profile-pollachi-sex-assault-case-of-2019-in-tamil-nadu-8400639#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=www.ndtv.com}}</ref>

== Incident==
On February 12, 2019, a 19-year-old college student in Pollachi received a call from an acquaintance who said he needed to speak with her alone about something important and told her to meet him near a bus stop. He invited her to get into the car with him and his friend who was also another acquaintance of hers, and assured that they would speak on the way. Two more men got in the car unexpectedly and the girl was forcibly undressed and videotaped, and a gold chain she was wearing was stolen by the four of them. They threatened her to give them sexual favors and money if they wanted it, or they would post the video online. They abandoned her in the middle of the road after she screamed and cried.<ref name="thenewsminute-MARCH132019">{{Cite web|date=2019-03-13|title=What is the Pollachi sexual assault and extortion case: A detailed explainer|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/what-pollachi-sexual-abuse-and-extortion-case-detailed-explainer-98266|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

She kept the incident hidden from her family. When the men repeatedly blackmailed her and threatened to extort money from her, she chose to confide in her family. Two men involved were then tracked by her brother and his friends, who beat them up and grabbed the men's mobile phones, which included recordings of at least three other girls whom the men might have coerced. The family reported this to the Pollachi police department, along with a sexual assault and theft lawsuit.<ref name="thenewsminute-MARCH132019" />

== The rape and extortion ring ==
The victim's story, as well as the mobile seized from the four men, uncovered a huge racket supposed involvement of other more men. The men reportedly used fake [[Facebook]] profiles to entice women, they would make a conversation with them and befriend them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pollachi sexual assault: 'Tamil media is worst in the matter'|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/pollachi-sexual-assault-lack-sensitivity-media-072434049.html|access-date=2021-05-24|website=in.news.yahoo.com|language=en-IN}}</ref> Each of the men would entice women to an isolated house or hotel, where he would either rape the women or persuade them to have sex with him. His accomplices would film the act. If it was a sexual assault, one of the companions would hop in to pose as a protector while the other men proceeded to film.<ref name="thenewsminute-MARCH132019" /> The accused had already raped and videotaped other young women, according to the police report. A few video recordings of women being sexually assaulted, reportedly shot at the farmhouse, have been leaked. In these films, girls are seen pleading with the attackers for compassion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=Wilson|date=2021-01-24|title=Pollachi sexual assault case {{!}} Of rape, lies and video leaks|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-of-rape-lies-and-video-leaks/article33647285.ece|access-date=2021-07-07|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Most were taken to a farm house belonging to one of the accused and then raped and filmed.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-17|title=Pollachi sexual assault case: In glee to corner AIADMK, DMK tramples survivor's dignity, Nakkheeran fails its duty by leaking rape video|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-women-in-tamil-nadu-are-suffering-due-to-political-exploitation-media-bias-6275491.html|access-date=2021-07-07|website=Firstpost}}</ref> The videos filmed in the farm house were used to later blackmail them for sexual favours and money.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=N Vinoth|date=2021-04-01|title=Will Pollachi sexual assault case dent AIADMK chances in western TN?|url=https://thefederal.com/tamilnadu-elections-2021/will-the-pollachi-sexual-assault-case-dent-aiadmk-chances-in-western-tn/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=The Federal|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401012123/https://thefederal.com/tamilnadu-elections-2021/will-the-pollachi-sexual-assault-case-dent-aiadmk-chances-in-western-tn/ |archive-date=2021-04-01 }}</ref>

According to media accounts, at least 200 women are sexually assaulted in the very same manner. There were also suspicions that young women in the region who had committed suicide in the previous year were also victims of sexual harassment by the same men.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pollachi Sexual Assault: 12 Things to Know About the Case|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-key-highlights|access-date=2021-05-24|website=BloombergQuint|date=15 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The victims were reportedly college and school teachers, doctors, higher secondary school and college students from Coimbatore, Chennai, Salem, and other areas of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-06|title=Explained: What is the Pollachi sexual abuse case?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-pollachi-sexual-abuse-case-5641667/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Tamil news Magazine ''[[Nakkheeran]]'' reported that the racket involved about 275 girls and 1,100 videos.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sarkar|first=Gaurav|title=#Pollachi: How the media—and authorities—dropped the ball|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/03/22/pollachi-how-the-media-and-authorities-dropped-the-ball|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Newslaundry|date=22 March 2019 }}</ref> According to some local media, the group has been targeting women since 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-03-15|title=Pollachi 'sex blackmail gang' victim's name revealed|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47579534|access-date=2021-07-08}}</ref>

The Pollachi police department issued a public appeal for women who have been victimized by the gang to come forward and register a complaint.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-11|title=Pollachi sexual assault case: Police suspect many more victims, probing network|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-police-suspect-many-more-victims-probing-network-98103|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

== Arrests by the police ==
On February 24, 2019, the police lodged an FIR against all four men involved.<ref name="thenewsminute-MARCH132019" /> On the same day as the complaint, the three men were detained. They were put into legal remand after being brought before a judicial magistrate in Pollachi. The police filed [[Tamil Nadu Goondas Act|Goondas Act]] on the four accused.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-03-07|title=Pollachi blackmailing: Police to slap Goondas Act on accused|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/pollachi-blackmailing-police-to-slap-goondas-act-on-accused/article26453560.ece|access-date=2021-07-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> They were arrested by the police on March 10, 2019.<ref name="caravanmagazine-16March2021">{{Cite web|last=Sivagnanam|first=Sujatha|title=The CBI investigation into the Pollachi sexual-assault case ignores police cover-up|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/crime/the-cbi-investigation-into-sexual-assault-case-ignores-police-cover-up|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The Caravan|language=en}}</ref> Police arrested the secretary of the AIADMK's 'Amma Forum' in Pollachi town on March 12, 2019, for allegedly threatening and beating the victim's brother. He was expelled out of the party's primary earlier membership for allegedly attempting to defend an accused in the case.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-12|title=AIADMK expels worker arrested in sexual assault case|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aiadmk-expels-worker-arrested-in-sexual-assault-case/story-DI3bbEHOfCmZpPP4G2ELzI.html|access-date=2021-06-26|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-11|title=AIADMK man who threatened Pollachi sexual assault survivor's brother sacked from party|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/aiadmk-man-who-threatened-pollachi-sexual-assault-survivors-brother-sacked-party-98147|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> The AIADMK functionary was released on bail three days later.<ref name="Senthalir">{{Cite web|last=Senthalir|first=S.|title=In Tamil Nadu, ruling AIADMK is accused of shielding men involved in sex blackmail racket|url=https://scroll.in/article/916233/in-tamil-nadu-ruling-aiadmk-is-accused-of-shielding-men-involved-in-sex-blackmail-racket|access-date=2021-06-26|website=Scroll.in|date=12 March 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Protests ==
[[File:Women in demonstration against the Pollachi Sexual Assault and Extortion Case, March 2019.png|thumb|300x300px|Women in demonstration against the incident]]
Hundreds of teachers, attorneys, and affiliates of women's groups marched throughout the state in March 2019, asking that the perpetrators be brought to justice. Government arts college students in Coimbatore and [[Tiruppur]] held a protest by skipping classes. About 300 students from different universities in Chennai took part in the demonstration. There were also protests by 250 students from Tiruvannamalai's Government Arts College. Outside the court complex in Coimbatore, lawyers staged a protest. They requested that an investigation into the case be led by a female judge from the [[Madras High Court]].<ref name="scrollprotest">{{Cite web|title=Tamil Nadu transfers Pollachi serial sexual assault and blackmail case to CBI|url=https://scroll.in/latest/916599/tamil-nadu-transfers-pollachi-serial-sexual-assault-and-blackmail-case-to-cbi|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Scroll.in|date=14 March 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> Students studying Siddha medicines in Tirunelveli also protested on March 18, 2019, by pinning black tags to their white coats.<ref name="quintprotest">{{Cite web|last=Kaveri|first=Megha|date=2019-03-19|title=Pollachi Sexual Assault: Protests Across TN As Outrage Continues|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/pollachi-sexual-assault-tn-shutdown-protest|access-date=2021-05-24|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-03-14|title=Pollachi case: Students protest, demand action against accused|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-case-students-protest-demand-action-against-accused/article26526510.ece|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Over 300 students from Vellore's Voorhees College held a sit-in protest, shouting slogans demanding protection for women, specifically when they were away from home.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Madhavan|first=T.|date=2019-03-14|title=Protests over Pollachi sexual assault case rock Vellore|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/protests-over-pollachi-sexual-assault-case-rock-vellore/article26537529.ece|access-date=2021-07-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Members of the [[Democratic Youth Federation of India]], All India Democratic Women's Association, the Students Federation of India, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the [[Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi]] formed a human chain in [[Pudukkottai]] demanding that the accused be brought to justice. The [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) staged a huge protest on March 12, led by [[Member of Parliament]], [[Kanimozhi]]. Around 1,000 college students from Pollachi and the surrounding areas held a rally calling for justice in the incident.<ref name="quintprotest" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-19|title=Sexual assault case: Protests across TN as outrage continues, shutdown in Pollachi|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sexual-assault-case-protests-across-tn-outrage-continues-shutdown-pollachi-98543|access-date=2021-05-24|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

== Central Bureau of Investigation ==
The Tamil Nadu government transferred the case to the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) on March 12, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamil Nadu transfers Pollachi serial sexual assault and blackmail case to CBI|url=https://scroll.in/latest/916599/tamil-nadu-transfers-pollachi-serial-sexual-assault-and-blackmail-case-to-cbi|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Scroll.in|date=14 March 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> Another person surrendered before the [[Chief Judicial Magistrate Court|chief judicial magistrate court]] on March 25, 2019. He confessed that he raped some women with the arrested men and made videos.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-26|title=Rape charge added to FIR in Pollachi sexual assault case|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rape-charge-added-fir-pollachi-sexual-assault-case-100724|access-date=2021-07-04|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> The CBI filed a charge sheet against five accused on 24 May 2019, claiming that they were members of an organized criminal group that communicated with one another.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pollachi sexual abuse case: CBI files chargesheet against five accused|url=https://scroll.in/latest/924658/pollachi-sexual-abuse-case-cbi-files-chargesheet-against-five-accused|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Scroll.in|date=24 May 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> CBI registered two FIRs against eight accused on 28 April 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pollachi sexual abuse case: CBI registers two FIRs against eight accused|url=https://scroll.in/latest/921579/pollachi-sexual-abuse-case-cbi-registers-two-firs-against-eight-accused|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Scroll.in|date=28 April 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> The CBI visited the farm house of the accused in May 2019 and after examining the area, they confirmed one place where a young girl was sexually harassed by the group.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mathivanan|first=Ananth|date=2019-05-16|title=Pollachi scam: CBI raids farm house of accused|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/160519/pollachi-scam-cbi-raids-farm-house-of-accused.html|access-date=2021-07-07|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref> The five men were sent to Salem Central Prison in June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 23, 2019|title=Pollachi rape case accused shifted to Salem prison|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/pollachi-rape-case-accused-shifted-to-salem-prison/articleshow/69909200.cms|access-date=2021-07-04|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

The CBI arrested three more men, including AIADMK youth wing member on 6 January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pollachi sexual abuse case: CBI arrests three more men, including AIADMK youth wing member|url=https://scroll.in/latest/983291/pollachi-sexual-abuse-case-cbi-arrests-three-more-men-including-aiadmk-youth-wing-member|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Scroll.in|date=6 January 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> The CBI made minimal progress on the case before the arrest in January 2021.<ref name="caravanmagazine-16March2021" />

An anonymous victim claimed in a recorded audio clip that a young girl died after she was gang-raped by the arrested accused and his accomplices at his farm house and later her body was buried at the back.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-27|title='Pollachi accused buried one of the victims behind farm house'|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/03/27020401/1111990/Pollachi-accused-buried-one-of-the-victims-behind-.vpf|url-status=dead|access-date=2021-07-07|website=dtNext.in|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190028/https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2019/03/27020401/1111990/Pollachi-accused-buried-one-of-the-victims-behind-.vpf |archive-date=2021-07-09 }}</ref>

On February 19, the ''Nakkheeran'' reported that the CBI had confiscated a vehicle belonging to a former AIADMK councillor. The criminals reportedly used the vehicle to entice girls and then abuse them. The perpetrators reportedly exploited the women's photographs to blackmail them and send the women to powerful people in order to get money. Former Pollachi Municipal Chairman, a member of the AIADMK, was also allegedly reported to be with these woman. V. Jayaraman was said to be close to both the ex-councilor and the Municipal Chairman.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-19|title=சி.பி.ஐ.யிடம் சிக்கிய... ... பொள்ளாச்சி பெண்களை கடத்திய கார்!|url=https://www.nakkheeran.in/nakkheeran/car-kidnapped-pollachi-women-caught-by-cbi/car-kidnapped-pollachi-women-caught-by-cbi|access-date=2021-07-07|website=nakkheeran|language=en}}</ref><ref name="caravanmagazine-16March2021" />

Activists and journalists reported that, despite the arrests, there appears to be no inquiry into the role of the Pollachi policemen in either assisting the ring or covering up the crime. They claimed that the police made numerous procedural errors, which allowed for the release of several important suspects, notably those with ties to the AIADMK, and made it more difficult for survivors of the incident to tell the authorities.<ref name="caravanmagazine-16March2021" />

All the nine accused in the case were brought before the Mahila Court in Coimbatore in February 2024, following the submission of fresh material items by the CBI the previous month.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pollachi sexual assault case {{!}} Nine accused produced before court as CBI submits more material objects |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-nine-accused-produced-before-court-as-cbi-submits-more-material-objects/article67878299.ece |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Politics over the incident==
{{Quote box
| quote = In those videos and photographs, there is a lot of details on prominent party men. I'm about to tell you a major truth. I need the backing of the opposition party's head, media contacts, an advocate, and a judge.
| author = a prime accused in the case
| source = <ref name="March132019huffpost" />
| align = right
| width = 300px
| fontsize = 90%
| bgcolor = #d1ffd2
}}
The AIADMK was criticized for its alleged role in the incident after the arrest of its functionary, with some news reports implying that the connection to the incident runs deeper within the party.<ref name="thenewsminute-MARCH132019" /> [[M. K. Stalin|M.K Stalin]], the DMK's president, said that AIADMK leaders were attempting to protect the persons detained in the case.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-12|title=AIADMK officials trying to influence probe in Pollachi sexual assault case: Stalin|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/aiadmk-officials-trying-influence-probe-pollachi-sexual-assault-case-stalin-98153|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> These allegations were gaining ground after the release of the AIADMK functionary three days after his arrest. The District Secretary of the [[All India Democratic Women's Association]], Radhika A alleged that the AIADMK secretary was not charged with sexual assault on purpose because of his political membership.<ref name="Senthalir"/> The AIADMK's Information Technology cell lodged a separate complaint with the police, requesting that individuals propagating propaganda against the ruling party and its leaders be prosecuted.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-03-11|title=Pollachi sexual assault triggers outrage among politicians|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-triggers-outrage-among-politicians/article26502774.ece|access-date=2021-06-26|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Thirunavukkarasu, the main accused, requested that the investigation be transferred to the CBI, saying that politically powerful people were engaged in the case.<ref name="March132019huffpost">{{Cite web|date=2019-03-12|title=Why The Pollachi Sexual Abuse Case Is Causing An Uproar In Tamil Nadu|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/pollachi-sexual-abuse-case-is-causing-an-uproar-in-tamil-nadu_in_5c873454e4b08d5b7864d290|access-date=2021-06-26|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref> According to news sources in the Tamil media, the local [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|Member of Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) and AIADMK Deputy Speaker [[V. Jayaraman|V Jayaraman]]'s son was linked to people involved in the incident. Jayaraman denied any family links to the case.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-11|title=Pollachi sexual assault: AIADMK MLA Pollachi Jayaraman denies family link|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/pollachi-sexual-assault-aiadmk-mla-pollachi-jayaraman-denies-family-link-98151|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

=== Revealing survivor's identity ===
{{Quote box
| quote = There is a popular assumption that the BJP is attempting to bully the AIADMK in Coimbatore, which is regarded the party's stronghold.... When there was an open indictment against AIADMK bigshots in Pollachi, there should have been more arrests by now. Since that has not occurred, and the CBI arresting the accused at this point makes us believe the allegations against the BJP are real, and they are attempting to use this to preserve their image and gain political advantage.
| author = Ira Murugavel, an author and political commentator.
| source = <ref name="caravanmagazine-16March2021" />
| align = right
| width = 360px
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}}On March 1, Coimbatore SP R [[Pandiarajan]] had a televised news conference in which he announced the survivor's name which is a criminal offence by law. On March 6, police issued a press statement in which they unlawfully identified the survivor by revealing her name, educational background, and location. The survivor filed a plea with the Coimbatore [[District magistrate|District Collector]], demanding that her identity be protected.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-13|title=Police apathy on display as Pollachi sexual assault survivor fights for justice|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/police-apathy-display-pollachi-sexual-assault-survivor-fights-justice-98216|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> The [[Madras High Court]] ordered the government of Tamil Nadu to provide an immediate compensation of ₹ 25 [[lakh]] to the survivor for "violation of her privacy, dignity, and image" in an attempt to avoid similar cases where government officials expose the name of a survivors of sexual assault.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-15|title=TN govt told to pay Rs 25 lakh to Pollachi survivor for cop revealing her name|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tn-govt-told-pay-rs-25-lakh-pollachi-survivor-cop-revealing-her-name-98407|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> A [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigation]] was lodged in the Supreme Court requesting action against SP R Pandiarajan for revealing the name.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-15|title=Take action against Coimbatore SP who outed name of Pollachi assault survivor: PIL in SC|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/take-action-against-coimbatore-sp-who-outed-name-pollachi-assault-survivor-pil-sc-98391|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> According to [[Kanimozhi Karunanidhi|Kanimozhi]], the survivor's name was exposed solely to silence other women and prevent them from coming forward and reporting, she also said that the AIADMK was trying to protect the accused in the case and Kanimozhi demanded a re-investigation by the police into all female suicides in Pollachi during the last seven years.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-13|title=Pollachi survivor's name leaked by cops to ensure other victims keep quiet: Kanimozhi|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/pollachi-survivors-name-leaked-cops-ensure-other-victims-keep-quiet-kanimozhi-98220|access-date=2021-06-26|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pollachi serial sexual assault: DMK's Kanimozhi criticises police for revealing name of survivor|url=https://scroll.in/latest/916396/pollachi-serial-sexual-assault-dmks-kanimozhi-criticises-police-for-revealing-name-of-survivor|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Scroll.in|date=13 March 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2019, the state government transferred police officers involved in the case, including a Superintendent of Police who exposed the victim's identify.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2019-04-01|title=Pollachi sexual abuse case: Tamil Nadu govt transfers police officials involved in investigation|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-abuse-case-tn-govt-transfers-police-officials-involved-in-investigation/article26700786.ece|access-date=2021-07-07|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Trial and sentencing ==
On 14 May 2025, a Mahila Court (Special Court) in [[Coimbatore]] found all nine accused in the Pollachi sexual assault case guilty, including a former office-bearer of the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] students’ wing. The court sentenced them to life imprisonment under Sections 376D and 376(2)(n) of the [[Indian Penal Code]]. It also directed the state government to pay a total compensation of ₹85 lakh to the eight survivors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Wilson |date=2025-05-13 |title=Pollachi sexual assault case: Coimbatore court convicts all nine accused, sentences them to life imprisonment |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-coimbatore-court-holds-all-nine-accused-guilty/article69570183.ece |access-date=2026-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Wilson |date=2025-05-13 |title=Pollachi sexual assault case: How nine men operated a notorious racket in a calm, picturesque town |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-how-nine-men-operated-a-notorious-racket-in-a-calm-picturesque-pollachi/article69572492.ece |access-date=2026-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The trial was conducted in a specially designated courtroom at the Coimbatore Combined Court Complex, in accordance with directions issued by the Madras High Court. The courtroom was equipped with one-way vision glass to ensure the privacy of the survivors. The identities of the survivors were withheld from official records and public documents. The court examined approximately 40 witnesses during the course of the trial.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pollachi sexual assault case and trial {{!}} Explained |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-and-trial-explained/article69564805.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512072724/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-and-trial-explained/article69564805.ece |archive-date=2025-05-12 |access-date=2026-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>

On 15 May 2025, the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|Tamil Nadu Government]] has announced a additional compensation of ₹25 lakh to each of the survivors, over and above the ₹85 lakh compensation awarded by the special court.<ref>{{Cite news |last=The |first=Hindu |date=2025-05-14 |title=Pollachi sexual assault case: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin announces ₹25 lakh each to survivors |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pollachi-sexual-assault-case-tamil-nadu-cm-stalin-announces-25-lakh-each-to-survivors/article69576641.ece |access-date=2026-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Crime in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Social history of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:2019 crimes in India]]
[[Category:All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]

2019 Pollachi sexual assault case - Revision history

Axis at 19:18, 12 April 2026