In Dravidian Model Tamil Nadu, the law and order situation is already alarming and continues to deteriorate with each passing day. Crimes against women and children of all ages in the society occur almost on a daily basis in this DMK regime Tamil Nadu. They promised social justice, that is why an infant and an octagenarian is able to face the same crime against them – yes, you read that right. Rape has become so common in Tamil Nadu that the horrific perpetrators do not spare even a child nor an elderly woman.
In this report, we look at the reported crimes against women and children across Tamil Nadu from 2021.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that registered crimes against women in Tamil Nadu rose from 6,630 cases in 2020 to between about 8,500 and 9,200 cases annually after 2021, reaching 8,943 cases in 2023.
Instances from May 2021-Dec 2021
#1 May 2021: A 41‑year‑old karate instructor, Kebi Raj, was detained after a college student complained he sexually assaulted her seven years ago when she was his student; the incident occurred while she was returning from an event, when he allegedly touched her inappropriately. She further stated that he threatened to kill her if she revealed the incident to anyone; case registered under IPC 376 r/w 511 (attempt to rape), 354, 509 and Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.
#2 June 2021: Chennai police arrested Anand, a teacher at Maharishi Vidya Mandir, for sexually harassing students. The case emerged after alumni shared experiences on social media, prompting others to come forward. The school suspended Anand on May 28 and formed an inquiry committee. An all-women police station registered a case the same day, but only recently received a written complaint from a victim, leading to his arrest. Anand was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.
#3 June 2021: A Chennai police sub-inspector, Satishkumar, was arrested under the POCSO Act for repeatedly sexually assaulting his friend’s 15-year-old daughter. The victim’s mother and grandmother were also arrested as accomplices. Satishkumar befriended the family through the mother, with whom he was having an affair. When the girl discovered them, he threatened her with his service weapon. With the mother’s consent, he began regularly assaulting the girl, buying her gifts and threatening her with a gun when she resisted. The victim finally confided in her father, who filed a complaint. Satishkumar, who had received a police commissioner’s award in 2019, was arrested and lodged in Ponneri jail.
#4 June 2021: A 38-year-old science teacher, Habeeb Mohammed, was arrested in Ramanathapuram for sexually harassing a Class 9 student at an aided school in Mudukulathur. The accused allegedly engaged in obscene phone conversations with the girl on June 18-19 and sent her inappropriate messages. Viral social media clips also revealed him naming and making lewd comments about several other girl students at the school. He reportedly tried to coerce the child into sexual activity in exchange for better marks. Following a complaint from the girl’s parents, police conducted an inquiry and arrested Mohammed under the POCSO Act and Juvenile Justice Act.
#5 July 2021: A 35-year-old construction labourer and mother of three was murdered in Kallakurichi while resisting a rape attempt. The woman was returning home from work on Saturday night, alighting at Deviyanandhal village bus stop. When she did not arrive, her husband began searching and found her unconscious on the roadside. She was declared dead at the hospital. Police arrested 40-year-old Arumugam from the same village, who confessed to the crime. He allegedly followed the woman from the bus stop in an inebriated state and attempted to rape her. When she screamed for help, he pushed her head into a puddle, causing her to lose consciousness and die.
#6 July 2021: A Tamil professor, CJ Paul Chandramohan, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing five postgraduate students at Bishop Heber College. The complaint detailed inappropriate behavior, including vulgar jokes, unwanted physical contact, and forcing students to visit his private chamber. Following the allegations, the college suspended him and formed a committee to investigate. Police registered a case and took him into custody after a formal complaint.
#7 July 2021: A widowed single mother, Nithya, filed a complaint against DMK official Mani, alleging sexual harassment and threats after she couldn’t repay a chit fund loan due to COVID losses. Mani, her house owner, made lewd remarks and threatened her son. Despite multiple prior complaints against him for usurious lending, police allegedly ignored her case.
#8 August 2021: A Christian pastor in Tamil Nadu, Arumanai Stephen, was booked for allegedly gang-raping a married woman and filming the act. The 36-year-old victim claims Stephen and seven others spiked her drink, assaulted her while unconscious, confined her in a farmhouse, and repeatedly raped her. Stephen was already in custody for organizing a hate speech event where controversial Christian priest George Ponnaiah insulted Hindu deities and Bharat Mata. The victim’s initial April complaint allegedly saw no action due to the accused’s links to the ruling DMK. After Stephen’s arrest in the hate speech case, she filed another complaint. Police then booked Stephen, a DMK functionary, and others under various IPC sections.
#9 September 2021: A 36-year-old Christian pastor, Samuel, was arrested in Tirupur under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old minor girl who came to him to pray. The incident occurred in Veerapandi near Tirupur, where Samuel is based. After the assault, the girl’s relatives filed a complaint with the Tirupur South All Women Police. Police interrogated Samuel and subsequently arrested him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
#10 September 2021: Five men were arrested for gang-raping a 20-year-old mobile shop employee in Kanchipuram. The main accused befriended the victim and, along with another man, promised her a private company job. On September 8, he picked her up in a car and gave her a sedative-laced soft drink. After she lost consciousness, he called four friends who took turns raping her inside the vehicle. When the victim regained consciousness, she smashed the car window with her legs to escape. The commotion attracted passersby, causing all five accused to flee after dumping her on the Chennai-Bengaluru highway. Police arrested four suspects on September 9 and the fifth the following day. They were booked under IPC sections including gang rape.
#11 September 2021: A 20-year-old polytechnic student in Coimbatore was allegedly drugged and raped by her boyfriend, who also filmed the act. The victim met Vinoth Kumar (25) on Instagram in January. Their relationship developed, and in March, Kumar took her to a hotel where he laced her soft drink with sedatives. After she lost consciousness, he raped her and recorded the assault. Months later, Kumar showed her the video and threatened to make it public unless she married him without her parents’ consent. When she recently refused to live with him, he allegedly assaulted her and threatened to kill her. Neighbors rescued the injured student and admitted her to hospital. Police registered a case against Kumar and launched an investigation.
#12 October 2021: A woman, Monisha, filed a complaint alleging DMK functionaries Rajavelu, Venkatesan, and Selvam sexually harassed her and threw stones while she bathed and fed her baby. When her husband confronted them after they made lewd comments during voting, they allegedly attacked him with an iron rod. The accused reportedly claimed immunity as the ruling party.
#13 November 2021: The correspondent of a private nursing college in Dindigul, P Jothimurugan, was booked under the POCSO Act after multiple girl students alleged sexual abuse. Three students came forward to file complaints; two were minors. On November 19, students protested at the Muthanampatti college, leading to its indefinite closure. The hostel warden, Archana, was arrested for allegedly facilitating the abuse by sending girls to Jothimurugan’s house. Jothimurugan surrendered in Thiruvannamalai and was lodged in Vellore Central Prison.
#14 November 2021: A 17-year-old student in Coimbatore died by suicide after allegedly enduring sexual harassment by her teacher, Mithun Chakraborty. In her suicide note, she named her abuser. The victim had dropped out of school to escape him, but the trauma persisted. Her father filed a complaint stating the family had previously informed the school administration, but principal Meera Jackson allegedly suppressed the matter to protect the institution’s reputation. Police registered a case against Chakraborty under the POCSO Act for sexual harassment and abetment of suicide; he was arrested and jailed. A case was also filed against Jackson, who fled to Bengaluru. She was arrested by a special team.
#15 November 2021: A 12th standard girl in Salem attempted suicide after enduring four years of sexual harassment by her school’s karate master, Raja. When she first complained at age 13, correspondent Stephen Devaraj allegedly silenced her. The victim, daughter of a government school headmaster, cut her wrists and tried to hang herself. After counseling, she revealed the abuse. Her relatives caught and thrashed Raja before handing him to police. Both Raja and Devaraj were arrested under the POCSO Act. The school, Gnana Deepam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, operates with foreign funding from a UK-based charity, Bethesda Project in Dorset, and runs alongside an orphanage.
#16 November 2021: Jesudas Raja, who ran Amala Children’s Nursery and School in Cuddalore district, was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually harassing three girls from a government children’s home who had joined his school months ago. Raja initially filed a police complaint claiming the girls were missing. When police located them, their inquiry revealed they had fled because Raja was sexually harassing them. Following this disclosure, police arrested Raja.
#17 December 2021: A 52-year-old government school teacher, Mathivanan, was arrested under the POCSO Act in Namakkal for allegedly sexually harassing a 10th-grade student. The victim and her parents filed a complaint with the District Principal Education Officer, stating that Mathivanan attempted to misbehave with the student at Namakkal Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School and demanded departmental and legal action.
#18 December 2021: A case was registered against Christopher Jebakumar (51), headmaster of CSI-run Samaria St. John’s High School in Tirunelveli, for sexually harassing girl students. He allegedly sent pornographic WhatsApp messages to Class 12 students attending special classes since September. Parents complained to the school administration, which took no action. Jebakumar allegedly tried to buy their silence by offering lakhs of rupees. He was suspended by CSI management only after police involvement, but remains absconding. Police registered a case under the POCSO Act.
#19 December 2021: An English professor, Tamizh Selvan, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing female students at St. Thomas College in Koyambedu by sending vulgar content and behaving indecently. When the management failed to act on student complaints, protests ensued. Only after prolonged agitation did the principal file a police complaint, leading to his arrest.
Instances from 2022
#20 January 2022: A 17-year-old nursing student in Panruti attempted suicide by jumping off a flyover after allegedly being sexually abused by three men, including the correspondent of JNF Nursing School, David Ashok Kumar. The accused reportedly recorded the assault and used the video to threaten and repeatedly abuse her. The victim, from Vizhuppuram district, is in critical condition at Cuddalore Government Hospital. Police arrested Ashok Kumar, two others, and a woman hostel warden under the POCSO Act. PMK chief Dr. Ramadoss shared the news on Twitter, expressing concern that the accused might escape justice despite their arrest.
#21 January 2023: A 54-year-old Christian pastor, Suri Stephen, was arrested for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in Ooty after finding her alone during a prayer meeting at her home. Neighbors rescued the child after hearing her screams, and her mother filed a complaint. Police confirmed his involvement through investigation and remanded him in judicial custody under the POCSO Act until February 3rd.
#22 February 2022: A 19-year-old youth was arrested under the POCSO Act in Puducherry for threatening to leak intimate photos of a minor girl. The girl, who had studied with the accused in Chennai, had been in a relationship with him through social media after moving to Puducherry with her mother. When she recently stopped communicating with him, the youth allegedly threatened to post their intimate pictures online. The girl’s mother filed a complaint with Puducherry police, leading to the registration of a POCSO case. Police later arrested the youth.
#23 February 2022: A 34-year-old English teacher, Manikam, was arrested for repeatedly raping a 17-year-old student at her home near Chennimalai after threatening to kill her. The abuse came to light when the girl fell ill and doctors discovered she was pregnant. The family filed a complaint following the revelation, leading to his arrest under the POCSO Act. He is a known DMK sympathizer with children of his own.
#24 March 2022: In March 2022, a hostel warden of a government-aided children’s home in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai was arrested after allegations that he had sexually abused children. Information received included the fact that seven children who had contacted ChildLine aged between the age of 14-16 alleged that they had been sexually assaulted by the warden. The warden was identified as 36-year-old A Duraipandian, a native of Thoothukudi district. A case under Sections 7, 8, 19 (1), and 21 (2) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and Section 506 (1) IPC was registered. The owner of the home – Sagairaj was also arrested.
#25 March 2022: A woman was abducted and gang-raped by five men in a shared auto while returning home after watching a movie in Vellore. The victim and her male friend boarded the auto around 1 am, but the other five occupants overpowered them, took them to a secluded spot, and assaulted the woman at knifepoint. The gang also robbed them of mobile phones, Rs 40,000 cash, and gold jewellery. The woman filed an email complaint to the SP. Police arrested four people, two men and two juveniles, while search continued for the fifth accused. The men were in judicial custody; juveniles were sent to a borstal home.
#26 March 2022: A 46-year-old government school teacher in Tamil Nadu was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually misconducting with a 10-year-old student. The incident occurred just two days after he joined a new school near Annur on deputation. The girl complained to the headmaster, who alerted police. A child counsellor interviewed the victim, who confirmed the teacher’s inappropriate behavior. He was arrested and sent to prison.
#27 March 2022: In Virudhunagar, eight men including a local DMK youth wing ward organizer were arrested for gang-raping a 22-year-old woman after blackmailing her with a video. The main accused, Hariharan (27), had secretly filmed himself with the victim at his medical godown. He allegedly used the footage to sexually assault her and shared it with four minors and three others, Praveen (22), DMK youth organizer Junath Ahmed (27), and Modasami (37) who then gang-raped the woman. Following the victim’s complaint, police arrested all eight accused yesterday. They face dcharges including rape, criminal intimidation, and provisions of the POCSO Act.
#28 March 2022: A 17-year-old girl from Madurai died on March 6 after being found unconscious outside her home, two weeks after she went missing on February 14. Nagore Hanifa (29) allegedly lured her into a relationship, took her to Erode, and sexually assaulted her while posing as her husband. When relatives grew suspicious, Hanifa allegedly convinced her to attempt suicide. She consumed rat poison while he pretended to. As her condition worsened, his mother abandoned her at the victim’s home. Hanifa, his mother, and six others were arrested under the POCSO Act. Police denied gangrape allegations, citing no physical injuries.
#29 March 2022: A 47-year-old VCK ward councillor, Veerasamy, was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting a Class 2 girl in Tenkasi district. The accused allegedly lured the child with eatables as she returned from school, took her to an isolated spot, and assaulted her. He threatened to kill her parents if she disclosed the incident. When the girl complained of stomach ache, doctors examining her discovered she had been sexually abused. Her parents filed a complaint at Kuttralam police station. Veerasamy initially absconded but was later arrested near Tenkasi, where he confessed to the crime. He was charged under the POCSO Act.
#30 March 2022: A 50-year-old DMK functionary and building mason, Sivakumar, was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing his three-year-old neighbour in Chinnakarai. He lured the toddler into his home and assaulted her. The victim returned home crying and disclosed the abuse to her parents, who immediately filed a complaint. Police registered a case under the POCSO Act and took the accused into custody.
#31 March 2022: A 22-year-old Dalit woman was repeatedly raped for a year by eight men, including two DMK youth wing functionaries and four minor students, after being lured into a relationship and blackmailed with a video. All accused were arrested under the SC/ST Act. The DMK functionaries were remanded in custody, while the minors were sent to a juvenile home.
#32 March 2022: A 22-year-old woman was allegedly sexually abused inside a Pennadam mosque by a maulvi, Abdul Hani, who claimed to be an exorcist. He rendered her unconscious with incense before assaulting her. Her husband witnessed the act through a window and filed a complaint. Reports suggest the maulvi later bribed police and the family to settle the matter, leading to his release.
#33 April 2022: Four men were arrested for gang-raping a 22-year-old Scheduled Caste woman near Thanjavur on April 11. The victim was waiting at a bus stop when her former schoolmate, Kodiyarasan, offered her a lift. After she refused, he snatched her phone and forced her to accept. He took her to a cashew grove where he and three associates; Saminathan, Kannan, and Tamilarasan raped her, abused her using casteist slurs, and threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the crime. Police arrested the four accused, along with three others; Velusamy, Chelladurai, and another Tamilarasan for allegedly organizing a kangaroo court to help the accused evade punishment.
#34 June 2022: A government school chemistry teacher in Chennai was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually harassing female students. Sridhar Ramasamy (45), a teacher at Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Mukapere, allegedly obtained students’ numbers during COVID online classes. He reportedly sent malicious WhatsApp messages and pornographic images to 11th and 12th grade students. The harassment intensified after in-person classes resumed. Students, fearing academic repercussions, remained silent until exams concluded and results were released. They then complained to the Child Welfare Officer, leading to a case at Thirumangalam All Women Police Station. Police investigation confirmed the allegations, and Sridhar was arrested.
#35 July 2022: A 15-year-old girl in Tiruvannamalai died after overdosing on abortion pills prescribed by a quack to terminate her second pregnancy. The accused, S. Murugan (27), a driver and relative who used to drop her at school, had impregnated the Class X student. The girl had terminated her first pregnancy with pills a year ago. When she became pregnant again, Murugan and his friend C. Prabhu took her to a quack for pills. On the way back, she fell unconscious and was declared dead at Thanipadi hospital. Police arrested Murugan under the POCSO Act and Prabhu for his involvement. The quack is also being investigated.
#36 July 2022: A 15-year-old girl from Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district was sexually assaulted by a co-worker at a matchbox factory where she worked on weekends. The accused, a worker at the same factory, allegedly raped the minor after promising to marry her. Following a complaint, the Kovilpatti All Women Police registered a case and arrested the accused, who was subsequently sent to judicial custody. The girl later became pregnant as a result of the assault. Her parents moved the Madurai High Court seeking permission to terminate the 24-week fetus. Justice G.R. Swaminathan, after consulting medical officials and the girl, ordered immediate abortion under the Medical Abortion Act.
#37 August 2022: A stalker and over a dozen accomplices armed with knives barged into a 23-year-old woman’s home in Mayiladuthurai that night and abducted her after she rejected his advances. The main accused, Vigneshwaran (32), a former Gulf worker, had previously been warned by police for stalking her. Police tracked the gang’s vehicle using CCTV footage and intercepted it at Vikravandi toll plaza within hours, rescuing the woman unharmed. Three accused, Vigneshwaran, Subash Chandra Bose, and Selvakumar, were arrested on the spot. Police were searching for the remaining suspects. The victim had earlier filed complaints about Vigneshwaran’s harassment.
#38 August 2022: A 52-year-old government schoolteacher in Tiruvannamalai was arrested for sexually assaulting a four-year-old UKG student at a private school, where his wife serves as correspondent. The accused allegedly lured the child with chocolates and molested her on the school campus. The girl later fell ill with severe stomach pain. Doctors at the hospital discovered she had been sexually assaulted, prompting her parents to file a complaint. Police arrested the teacher under the POCSO Act and remanded him in judicial custody until September 9. A school staff member was also arrested. The district collector ordered his suspension, and officials were questioning the correspondent.
#39 August 2022: A church pastor, John Robert, was arrested in Ramanathapuram for sexually abusing three minor girls aged 15, 16, and 17. The incident occurred on 7 August 2022, at St. Arulanandar Church in Mandapam, where the girls had come to pray. The victims’ parents filed a complaint with the Ramanathapuram Childline Office. Following an inquiry where the girls confirmed the abuse, police arrested Robert. A case was registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
#40 September 2022: A physical education teacher at a government school in Nagapattinam was arrested under the POCSO Act for harassing and molesting students. B. Asokan (38), who also ran a private tuition centre, allegedly molested a Class 12 girl on September 19 near the centre. He then took medical leave and became unreachable. When the victim’s parents complained to the school headmaster, several other students came forward, alleging Asokan sent them sexually suggestive messages and touched them inappropriately. Officials from education, police, and social welfare departments conducted an inquiry. Police traced and arrested Asokan at his village and was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.
#41 November 2022: A 16-year-old girl in Trichy was gang-raped multiple times by five men after being lured into a relationship by Ranganathan (33). In April, he took her to the Cauvery riverbank, gave her alcohol-spiked drinks, and rendered her unconscious. He then called four friends who assaulted her and filmed the act. They raped her three more times, threatening to release the video if she told anyone. When child activists stopped her wedding and placed her in a children’s home, the men released the video online. Police arrested all five under the POCSO Act.
#42 November 2022: A Sri Lankan priest, Sheraldu Manohar, and his wife were arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a minor girl at their Chennai church over six months. The victim’s grandmother filed a complaint, leading to an investigation that confirmed the abuse. Police revealed the priest had previously harassed other women and girls. Both were remanded in custody under the POCSO Act.
Instances from 2023
#43 January 2023: In January 2023, a Christian pastor was arrested under POCSO Act for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Tiruppur. This incident happened at a private hostel where several working women, school and college students stayed. The 15-year-old schoolgirl, residing in the pastor-managed hostel, chose not to return after the Christmas break. She disclosed to her parents that Father Andrews had raped her on December 14, 2022, and had threatened her to keep quiet about the incident. On that day, she skipped evening prayers, citing health issues, and stayed in her room. During his rounds, Pastor Andrews entered her room and sexually assaulted her. The pastor, along with his wife, operated the hostel for children and women and was introduced to the victim’s parents through their church. The victim and her brother were enrolled in the hostel, attending school from there.
#44 January 2023: A woman filed a complaint alleging a Christian pastor, Samuel, sexually exploited her for ten years under the false promise of marriage while secretly marrying another woman. He allegedly blackmailed her with intimate images, extorted ₹2 lakh, and threatened her with violence when confronted. His uncle also threatened her life. She attempted suicide earlier.
#45 January 2023: In a horrific incident on a January 2023 evening, a 19-year-old college student was gang-raped by five masked men at knife-point in front of her boyfriend near Kancheepuram. The couple, BBA and B Com students, had parked near a dark plot two km from the Outer Ring Road when five men – Manikandan (22), Vimal Kumar (25), Sivakumar (20), Vignesh (22) and Thennarasu (23) attacked them. Three restrained the boyfriend while two others threatened the woman with a knife before raping her nearby. Police arrested all five based on survivor information and CCTV footage. The accused were boozing nearby and called others upon spotting the couple.
#46 March 2023: The owner of Nambikkai Home for Tsunami orphans in Nagapattinam, Karibeeran Parameswaran, and his wife Choodamani were accused of sexually abusing minor inmates. Following a complaint from a former resident, authorities investigated and found the allegations true. All 30 children were moved to a government home, and the orphanage was sealed. Despite facing POCSO charges, Parameswaran, his wife, her brother, and two others secured anticipatory bail from Nagai court. The accused were government employees with alleged political connections, including a ruling party MLA.
#47 March 2023: Stanley Kumar, a preacher at a church in Magizhvannanaathapuram near Alankulam in Tenkasi district, was arrested by police for sexually abusing women. The members of the congregation have filed a complaint with the District Superintendent of Police saying that he misbehaved with women who attend the church. Based on the complaint, pastor Stanley Kumar was arrested by the Tenkasi Police.
#48 March 2023: In Madurai, a 50-year-old man, Lawrence, allegedly raped a 16-year-old student multiple times by promising financial aid and threatening her with explicit photos. He has since absconded. Police registered POCSO cases against both individuals, with a search underway for Lawrence following the victim’s parents’ complaint.
#49 June 2023: A Christian pastor, Vinod Joshua, was arrested for sexually abusing a girl since she was 14, continuing to harass her via WhatsApp even after her marriage at 18, while she is now eight months pregnant. The victim finally filed a complaint, prompting an investigation. The accused fled but was apprehended in Madurai and remanded in judicial custody under the POCSO Act.
#50 June 2023: A POCSO convict, Thirumurthy, assaulted a 45-year-old sewing teacher at Trichy Central Jail, kissing and injuring her after returning early to the classroom. When she tried to report the incident, authorities allegedly threatened and humiliated her, telling her to drop the matter. The traumatized teacher was forced to leave, exposing a cover-up and severe security failures within the prison system.
#51 October 2023: Four policemen in Trichy were arrested and suspended for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at Mukkombu tourist spot on October 5. The intoxicated officers, including a sub-inspector, confronted the victim and her 19-year-old boyfriend, assaulted him, then forcibly took her in a car under the guise of a drug inquiry. They raped her in the moving vehicle for nearly an hour before releasing her with threats if she reported the crime. The courageous victim filed a complaint, leading to POCSO Act charges against SI B. Sasikumar and three others.
#52 October 2023: A widowed daily-wage worker, Saroja, who sought help from DMK member Prabhu for her disabled son, was instead sexually harassed by him. He allegedly sent explicit videos, made inappropriate video calls, and threatened to harm her and her children if she resisted. Saroja filed a complaint at the Odanchathiram police station seeking protection from the accused.
#53 November 2023: A 50-year-old Special Sub-Inspector, Sahadevan, was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually abusing a minor girl in Dharmapuri. The abuse began three years ago when the victim was underage, under the false promise of marriage. She became pregnant and now has a 1.5-year-old child. When she turned 18 and demanded marriage, Sahadevan refused. The victim’s father filed a complaint with the SP. Sahadevan initially absconded but later surrendered. The accused had a prior criminal record, including involvement in stealing seized vehicles from the same police station where he worked.
#54 November 2023: A group of women advocates in Nilgiris has sent a legal notice to the IG demanding action against police who allegedly handcuffed a 15-year-old POCSO case victim while taking her to court on November 7. According to the advocates, the girl was made to walk from the bus stand to the Kotagiri magistrate court in handcuffs in full public view, causing her mental agony. The constable allegedly acted on IO’s instructions. When the mother complained to the SP, police allegedly threatened the family and forced the girl to sign a statement. The SP denied the allegations, claiming CCTV evidence proves no handcuffs were used.
#55 December 2023: A 63-year-old former DMK municipal councillor, Nagaraj, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl after luring her to his Coimbatore home. The victim, returning from school, was attacked on 11 December 2023. She disclosed the ordeal to her parents, who filed a complaint the next day at the All-Women Police Station, leading to his arrest under the POCSO Act.
Instances from 2024
#56 March 2024: A 9-year-old girl in Puducherry was abducted, sexually assaulted, and brutally murdered by seven individuals, including Karunas (19) and Vivekanandan (54). According to an audio clip from the victim’s father, the ganja-intoxicated youths tied her hands and feet and mutilated her body. The case was under the POCSO Act, with both accused in custody and investigation underway.
#57 April 2024: A 57-year-old Seventh-day Adventist pastor, May Wald, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old Nepali girl in Hosur. Following the victim’s complaint to child protection officials, a formal case was registered at the Hosur All Women Police Station. Investigation confirmed the allegations, leading to his arrest under the POCSO Act.
#58 May 2024: On May 9, the body of an unidentified woman was found in Madharpakkam near Gummidipoondi with injuries. Post-mortem confirmed she was gang-raped and strangulated. CCTV footage showed her walking from a TASMAC outlet with three youths trailing her. Police arrested Surya, Suvendar, and Jebakumar, who allegedly confessed to the crime. All three were produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. The victim’s identity remains unknown.
#59 May 2024: Since 2022, Christian pastor M Raghurajkumar allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl 30-40 times at his Ranipet church, threatening her to keep quiet. The girl witnessed him harassing other children and women. Parents petitioned officials in February, and an FIR was registered on March 17 under POCSO Act. The pastor was later arrested.
#60 May 2024: Nine individuals, including three juveniles, were arrested in Udumalpet for gang-raping a 17-year-old orphan girl. The victim, living with her grandparents after her parents’ death, sought employment due to financial constraints. A 14-year-old boy promised her a job, then befriended and repeatedly sexually exploited her over a year, allowing eight others, including teenagers, to do the same. They also abused her 13-year-old friend, using alcohol and job promises to facilitate the crimes. The abuse came to light when the girl became four months pregnant.
#61 June 2024: A 15-year-old girl was drugged and raped by two men, Somesh and the absconding Williams, at a birthday party in Saligramam after her acquaintance, film junior artist Pratisha Akira, allegedly spiked her drink with methamphetamine. The victim confided in her sister after experiencing stomach pain. Pratisha and Somesh were arrested under the POCSO Act and remanded to custody.
#62 July 2024: Victor James Raja (35), a PhD scholar and organic farmer from Thanjavur, was sentenced to life imprisonment under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting children and sharing child pornography online. For two years, he exploited boys and girls aged 5-18, recording penetrative assaults and forcing children to perform sexual acts. Interpol’s child exploitation database contained his content. Identified through forensic analysis, he was arrested in March 2023. The CBI filed charges under POCSO and IT Acts. After examining 34 witnesses, Judge Sundarraj sentenced him to life imprisonment with a ₹6.54 lakh fine and recommended ₹4 lakh compensation each for three victims.
#63 July 2024: A 54-year-old Christian pastor, Devairakkam of CSI Christ Church in Kanchipuram, was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl. The minor, who resided on church grounds after her mother’s death, was assaulted on January 1. When she fled and reported the incident to community members, police allegedly failed to act immediately. Locals then approached the Chief Minister’s office, leading to intervention by the District Child Protection Office. After an investigation by officer Sakthi Kavya, a formal complaint was lodged. Police arrested Devairakkam following a thorough inquiry.
#64 August 2024: A 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by NTK functionary Sivaraman during a fake NCC camp at a private school in Krishnagiri. The three-day camp (August 5-9) hosted 41 students with no official NCC connection. On August 8, Sivaraman coerced the victim from her accommodation and assaulted her. He allegedly harassed 13 other girls as well. School management, including principal and teachers, knew of the offenses but suppressed information. Eleven people were arrested, but Sivaraman remained absconding under POCSO charges. NTK expelled him.
#65 August 2024: Dr. Suresh Kumar (27), who studied MBBS with a woman at a Puducherry college from 2015 to 2021, began harassing her after she married another doctor last year. He sent explicit images and threatening messages on social media, and threatened to sexually assault her by posting compromising pictures of the couple. The victim, now a doctor at a Chrompet hospital, reported the matter to Pallavaram crime branch police. Kumar was arrested, produced in Tambaram court, and sentenced to imprisonment.
#66 August 2024: On 12 August, a 22-year-old graduate returning to her hometown near Orathanadu for vacation was gang-raped by four men. While returning from shopping that evening, Kavithasan (25) forcibly took her to an isolated area with accomplices Diwakar (27), Praveen (20), and a 17-year-old minor. They raped her and recorded the assault on video. The victim filed a complaint that night at the Orathanadu all-women police station. All four were arrested.
#67 August 2024: A female engineer traveling on an express train from Kerala to Chennai Central was allegedly raped by two unidentified men. When the train neared Katpadi in Vellore, the men snatched her phone. As she chased them, they pushed her into a toilet and raped her before jumping off the train and fleeing. The woman filed a complaint at Chennai Central. Railway Police registered a case under six sections, formed a special team.
#68 September 2024: A woman in Trichy was gang-raped and blackmailed by six men, including a driver for Tamil Nadu’s education minister, Anbil Mahesh. The main accused, Silambarasan, pretended to love her, then forcibly took her in his vehicle with four to five others on April 13 and sexually assaulted her. They repeatedly called her, threatening to release a video if she refused them. He later gave her a tablet, offering money to end things. The survivor filed a complaint with the Trichy SP and spoke to media, seeking justice.
#69 September 2024: A 10-year-old girl in Chennai was repeatedly raped by neighbor Sathish, a water supplier. When her parents reported it, Anna Nagar All Women Police Inspector Raji allegedly detained and assaulted them at the station overnight, with the child witnessing the abuse. Despite an FIR filed August 31, Sathish remains unarrested. The abuse came to light August 29 when the girl was hospitalized. She didn’t receive mandatory counseling, and the inspector conducted an improper inquiry where the girl, fearing Sathish’s threats to kill her family, initially didn’t name him.
#70 September 2024: A 54-year-old headmistress, S. Grace Sagayarani, and her son Samson Daniel (31), a government doctor, were arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting children at a government-aided school in Trichy. Reports allege Sagayarani permitted her son to abuse students, sparking backlash against the DMK government.
#71 September 2024: A woman and her male friend were at a farm in Sivaganga when two men attacked them. The man was assaulted, and later three others joined and allegedly gang-raped the woman. The man initially filed only a mobile snatching complaint. During interrogation, police learned of the rape, and the woman filed a complaint on September 18. Medical examination confirmed sexual assault. Five men were arrested.
#72 September 2024: A government doctor, S. Samson Daniel, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting young girls aged five to ten during health checkups at a Trichy school hostel. His mother, the headmistress, was also detained for allegedly covering up the crimes. Following a childline report and interviews with 42 children, police registered a POCSO case.
#73 November 2024: In Valasaravakkam, Chennai, a mother has accused 27-year-old Prashanth, son of local figure “Pandal” Ravi, of repeatedly sexually harassing her minor daughter. Despite filing a complaint at the All Women Police Station on April 14, no action was taken. The family approached the court, which directed police to register an FIR under the POCSO Act. Though arrested, Prashanth was released on bail the next day. On New Year’s Day, he allegedly harassed the girl again, using inappropriate language and threatening to kill her and her mother if they pursued the case.
#74 November 2024: A former DMK union secretary, Anandan, is absconding after allegedly molesting several 6th and 7th grade girls, daughters of laborers working in his field. A child helpline complaint triggered an investigation by the District Child Welfare Board, which confirmed the harassment. Following parents’ complaints, a POCSO case was registered at the Jeeyapuram All-Women Police Station.
#75 November 2024: A 45-year-old private college lecturer, P. Sivaprakasam, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 25-year-old woman who sought his help securing a lab assistant job. He invited her to his home, where he attacked her. She locked herself in a bathroom, alerted a friend via WhatsApp, leading to police rescue. He was arrested and remanded to custody.
#76 November 2024: A physical education teacher, Ponsingh, was arrested for allegedly forcing five female students to consume alcohol and sexually harassing them during a sports competition trip. After parents protested over the school’s inaction, the principal and secretary were also arrested. The teacher was apprehended in Coimbatore, and an investigation is ongoing.
#77 On 4 December 2024, Gurumurthy, a 54-year-old lawyer, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 25-year-old woman on a bus in the Puzhal area. Following the woman’s complaint, he was remanded in judicial custody.
#78 On 6 December 2024, the Egmore All Women’s Police Station has registered a case against a group of college students who allegedly sexually assaulted a 21-year-old mentally ill college student. Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, nine college students were arrested, including the victim’s friend, a woman, who had introduced the mentally unstable student to male acquaintances and a school-going boy.
#79 On 6 December 2024, the Ezhu Kinaru police have arrested two individuals, Barathwaj and Mohammed Abbas, for entering a women’s beauty parlour, which is locally run by the victim’s mother. The duo allegedly assaulted a 18-year-old women and issued death threats before fleeing the scene.
#80 On 9 December 2024, the Chennai city police apprehended a 22-year-old college student Venga Raghunath Reddy for distributing child sexual abuse (CSA) material on social media platforms. During his arrest, authorities discovered hundreds of CSA materials on his mobile phone. The accused was charged under sections of the POCSO Act and remanded in judicial custody. Additionally, the Goondas Act was invoked against him.
#81 On 10 December 2024, a college student, Vignesh, was arrested near Arumbakkam, Chennai, for attacking and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend after their breakup due to personal differences.
#82 On 11 December 2024, a woman in Thoraipakkam faced sexual harassment from a group of transgenders in public.
#83 On 12 December 2024, a history-sheeter, Saran Kumar from Otteri, was arrested for assaulting a woman.
#84 On 14 December 2024, an individual named Sri Ram was arrested by the Valasaravakkam police for attacking a fellow college student with a stone and attempting to force her into a romantic relationship.
#85 On 15 December 2024, Rajamangalam police have arrested two youths, Manukrishna, a software company employee, and G. Vishnu, a photographer from Triplicane, in connection with the alleged sexual harassment of a female food delivery executive.
#86 On 16 December 2024, a lorry driver arrested for attempting to sexually harass a woman in Thoraipakkam
#87 On 19 December 2024, a man from Aminijikarai was arrested for threatening his ex-girlfriend, demanding money, and threatening to release inappropriate footage of her.
#88 On 20 December 2024, a man was arrested in Royapuram for attacking his wife and father-in-law demanding dowry.
#89 On 22 December 2024, a man was arrested in Purasaiwakkam for abusing a 38-year-old woman.
#90 On 22 December 2024, a man was arrested in West Mambalam for sexually harassing a woman and attempting to steal her jewelry.
#91 On 23 December 2024, a second-year student at Anna University was sexually assaulted on campus. According to the FIR, accused Gnanasekaran approached the woman and her boyfriend, assaulted the man, and filmed the woman. He threatened to leak the footage to the dean and her parents unless she complied. He then forcibly took her to a secluded area behind the EEE building and sexually assaulted her between 7:45 PM and 8:20 PM. He photographed her ID card, extracted her father’s contact, and fled. Police arrested Gnanasekaran, 37, a roadside biryani vendor and DMK functionary with seven prior cases.
#92 On 26 December 2024, four intoxicated men harassed women bathing at Periya Kuppam beach, making lewd comments and physically attacking the family when they intervened. The victims included two women and a transgender woman. Following a complaint, police registered a case and arrested three of the accused—Dinesh, Manickavel, and Saravanan—while a fourth suspect remained at large.
#93 On 26 December 2024, a 52-year-old Special Sub- Inspector, Mohanraj, sexually assaulted a female police officer at the Rajapalayam South Police Station in Virudhunagar district. The accused arrived for duty in an intoxicated state and was directed to rest in an upstairs room. While there, he allegedly approached the woman officer and made inappropriate advances. When she tried to avoid him, he assaulted her. She raised an alarm, and colleagues rushed to rescue her. CCTV footage captured the incident. Medical tests confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol. Mohanraj was immediately transferred and suspended pending further investigation and departmental action.
#94 On 26 December 2024, Nirmala (28), a widow living with her two daughters, told her family she was going to deliver milk at the cooperative society in Chinnasalem and never returned. The next morning, a neighbor found her dupatta, phone, and chappals scattered in a nearby field. Investigation revealed she had been raped and murdered, her body discarded in a cornfield. Police arrested tea shop owner Kumaresan and another individual, Bell Mani, for questioning.
#95 On 26 December 2024, a 17-year-old Class 12 student was sexually assaulted in Kanyakumari district after returning from a volleyball tournament in Trichy. The girl had stayed back at school waiting for her father when a 37-year-old man, Faisal Khan, noticed her by the roadside. She asked to use the bathroom, and he directed her to a nearby house. After she came downstairs, he allegedly led her to another room, locked it, and assaulted her. The victim returned home in distress and filed a complaint. Police arrested Khan under the POCSO Act. The victim’s 21-year-old boyfriend allegedly took her to Khan’s house that night.
#96 On 27 December 2024, a mentally challenged woman sexually harassed in Chennai after being told she was being exorcised.
#97 On 27 December, a 47-year-old Christian pastor, T. Kenith Raj, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 26-year-old woman after she sought his help for personal troubles. He claimed she was possessed by evil spirits and called her to his empty home under the guise of prayer, where he made sexual advances. When she resisted, he threatened her family. Police registered a case and arrested him.
#98 On 28 December 2024, a lone woman in home was abused and harassed.
#99 On 28 December 2024, a sanitation supervisor, Joseph Kumar, was arrested for allegedly assaulting an 11-year-old girl after luring her to a secluded spot in Vellore’s Anna Salai area. The crime came to light when the traumatized child confided in her parents, who filed a complaint. Police swiftly apprehended the accused, registered a case under the POCSO Act, and remanded him to Vellore Central Jail.
#100 On 29 December 2024, a 38-year-old woman was raped by four men in Ramanathapuram. The woman had visited her daughter, a college student, and was returning home in an auto rickshaw. When she asked the driver to stop near a railway track in Puthendhal around 8:30 pm so she could relieve herself, she was attacked by four young men who raped her. She reported the incident the next day. Police arrested Bhuvanesh Kumar, Saran Murugan, Selvakumar, and Muneeshkannan, all Puthendhal residents, on December 31. They were charged with rape and assault.
#101 On 30 December 2024, a church worker, Mahesh, was arrested for impregnating a 34-year-old divorced woman who sought his help seeking forgiveness for her sins. He promised marriage but exploited her repeatedly before abandoning her after she gave birth, refusing responsibility. Following her complaint, police arrested him and initiated an investigation into the case.
#102 On 30 December 2024, a 52-year-old Assistant Jailor, Balaguruswamy, of Madurai Central Jail was arrested for sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl who runs an idli shop with her father. The accused had befriended the girl’s grandfather, a former convict, and frequented their eatery. He obtained the minor’s phone number under the pretext of helping her pursue a police career and began sending lewd WhatsApp messages. When she blocked him, he started visiting the shop persistently. On December 21, he invited her to meet him in Karimedu. The girl’s relatives followed her, caught him speaking with her, and assaulted him with shoes. A video went viral. Police registered a POCSO case and arrested him.
#103 On 31 December 2024, an 80-year-old beggar woman was raped by an unidentified man near Hosur. The woman was standing near the Hosur bus stand when a 25-year-old man approached her. She said she needed to travel to Kelamangalam, and he offered to give her a ride on his motorcycle. Instead, he took her to the Perandapalli reserve forest and raped her before fleeing. Residents found her and alerted police, who took her to Krishnagiri Government Medical College and Hospital.
Instances from 2025
#104 January 2025: Three schoolgirls, aged 14 and 16, went missing in Chennai and were found being held on a library rooftop, where they were allegedly sexually harassed by a group including a college student and juveniles with extensive criminal records. Six individuals were arrested; three were sent to a reform school, three to prison.
#105 February 2025: On 15 February 2025, an intoxicated man, Sathya Balu, was arrested for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a woman police constable at Palavanthangal Railway Station. He tried to overpower her in a secluded area, but she raised an alarm, attracting passengers who caught him as he fled. He was handed over to railway police, and a case was registered.
#106 February 2025: A 26-year-old woman from Odisha arrived in Tiruppur with her husband and three-year-old child seeking work. On February 17, three Bihari workers—Mohammad Danish, Murshid, and Nadim—offered them shelter. That night, the accused held a knife to the husband’s throat, tied him up, and allegedly gang-raped the woman in front of their child, threatening to harm the toddler if she resisted. The next morning, they chased the family away. The survivor filed a complaint and is hospitalized. All three were arrested and charged under BNS sections.
#107 February 2025: A 13-year-old girl, initially reported missing in Chennai, was traced to Cuddalore with her 16-year-old boyfriend, who was arrested for rape. Investigation revealed she was earlier assaulted by traffic policeman Raman after he offered her shelter, attacking her in his vehicle and a police booth. Raman and the boyfriend’s mother were also arrested under the POCSO Act.
#108 February 2025: On February 24, 2025, a 17-year-old Class 8 dropout allegedly lured a three-year-old girl from an anganwadi center in Sirkazhi to an isolated area behind the facility. He sexually assaulted her, and when she resisted and tried to scream, he smashed her face with a stone, causing severe head and eye injuries. Staff found her after hearing cries. She was initially rushed to Sirkazhi General Hospital, then referred to JIPMER in Puducherry in critical condition. The accused was arrested under the POCSO Act.
#109 February 2025: A Christian priest, Reverend John Rose, was arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl under the guise of religious guidance at his prayer hall in Kanyakumari. The crime emerged when the child was hospitalized with severe stomach pain, and doctors confirmed sexual assault. After fleeing to Coimbatore with his family, he was apprehended. His wife and son were also arrested as alleged accomplices under the POCSO Act.
#110 February 2025: A 13-year-old girl died by suicide after being allegedly stalked and harassed for three months by 25-year-old T. Saravanan, a TVK branch treasurer. He and his sister, Sangeetha, a party district secretary, confronted the minor publicly, pressuring her to marry him. Hours later, she took her own life. Saravanan was arrested under the POCSO Act, while his sister remains absconding.
#111 February 2025: Revathi (36), who was five months pregnant, was traveling alone from Tiruppur to Chittoor on the Coimbatore-Tirupati Intercity Express. When the ladies’ coach emptied at Jolarpettai around 10:15 am, Hemaraj (27) boarded and attempted to rape her. When she resisted, he threw her from the moving train. She sustained injuries to her head, hands, and legs and was hospitalized in Vellore. Police arrested Hemaraj, a habitual offender with prior cases of murder and robbery.
#112 February 2025: A 17-year-old girl from Coimbatore developed an online friendship with seven private college students through social media. The accused invited her to a room in Kuniyamuthur, where they allegedly gang-raped her. When she failed to return home, her grandmother filed a missing complaint at Ukkadam police station. Investigation revealed the assault, and all seven students were arrested under the POCSO Act.
#113 February 2025: In Pollachi, four minors and an 18-year-old youth allegedly sexually assaulted two schoolgirls and a schoolboy around five times over recent months. The suspects, who watched inappropriate content, allegedly forced the victims into these acts. Families from less privileged backgrounds hesitated to report until villagers contacted ChildLine. Police arrested three minors (sent to observation home) and the youth (judicial custody).
#114 February 2025: A 30-year-old woman from Vellore invested ₹15 lakh of her own and ₹1.75 crore through associates in chits run by Altaf Das near Cheyyar. When he refused to return money, she repeatedly demanded payment. He called her to a Vellore hostel, where she went with her mother. Five men threatened them, separated the mother, and allegedly drugged and gang-raped the woman. They recorded the assault and threatened to leak the video if she reported it. Police registered a case against six individuals.
#115 February 2025: A 21-year-old Muslim auto driver, Taufeeq Umar, was arrested for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl he transported, promising marriage and forcing her to abort the resulting pregnancy with an accomplice. The abuse, spanning 18 months, came to light during a medical checkup. Ironically, his mother had previously protested his innocence, leading to a police transfer, before his POCSO arrest and remand.
#116 February 2025: Kumaresan (57), a lab assistant at a government school in Salem, was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually harassing female students in the school lab. Students reported the incident to their class teacher, who informed the headmaster. District child protection officials visited the school, confirmed the allegations, and filed a complaint. Kumaresan was arrested and sent to Salem Central Jail.
#117 February 2025: A second-grade student at a Podhavur government primary school was sexually harassed by teacher Jayaraj Susainathan while cleaning the classroom. The girl’s parents filed a complaint, leading to his arrest. Investigations revealed that sexual harassment complaints had been lodged against this teacher for the past ten years, and he had been threatening victims and their parents. A POCSO case was registered, and he was sent to jail.
#118 February 2025: A 58-year-old assistant headmaster at a government high school in Pudukottai was arrested on February 17, 2025, under the POCSO Act for allegedly inappropriately touching multiple female students. A student contacted Childline helpline on February 10, triggering a week-long inquiry by the district child protection officer.
#119 February 2025: A government schoolteacher in Ramanathapuram died by suicide while under investigation for alleged sexual harassment of female students. Police, school education officials, and child welfare officers had launched an inquiry into the allegations when the teacher was found dead on February 18 morning. The body was sent for post-mortem examination. Officials stated the exact cause of death will be confirmed following the autopsy report.
#120 February 2025: A government school teacher, Suresh, was arrested under the POCSO Act in Ariyalur for sexually harassing a sixth-grade student. The Tamil teacher allegedly assaulted the girl and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the abuse. Fearing for her safety, the victim eventually informed her parents, who filed a complaint with the police. Authorities promptly arrested Suresh, registering a case against him under relevant sections for the protection of children.
#121 February 2025: An 18-year-old woman was abducted and sexually assaulted by an auto driver and two accomplices after she refused his ride at Kilambakkam bus terminus. She was threatened with a knife and assaulted in the moving vehicle. Her screams alerted residents, and a patrol team’s pursuit caused the suspects to flee. Police launched a manhunt.
#122 February 2025: Math teacher Sundara Vadivelu at a corporation school in Tiruppur allegedly sexually harassed multiple seventh-grade students over several months. The issue came to light on February 7 when parents lodged a complaint with the principal. Over ten children have come forward with complaints.
#123 February 2025: Ilayakannu (37), a temporary graduate teacher at a government higher secondary school in Yercaud, was arrested for sexually harassing 10th and 11th grade students. An 11th standard student complained to the principal that Ilayakannu had harassed her and four friends. District child protection officials confirmed the allegations. The Salem District Tribal Welfare Project Officer ordered his permanent dismissal. A POCSO case was registered, and police arrested him.
#124 February 2025: A temporary English teacher, S. Prabhu, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting six students at a government high school in Vaniyambadi. The abuse came to light when students contacted a child helpline, reporting inappropriate physical contact and lewd songs during a test. Following an inquiry by the District Child Protection Officer, a POCSO case was registered, and Prabhu was taken into custody.
#125 February 2025: Sivakumar (40), a temporary physical education teacher at a government model school in Kuppur, Salem district, was arrested for sexually harassing an 11th grade student. He allegedly made inappropriate comments about her appearance. The student reported the incident to the principal, who informed the District Child Protection Commission. After the commission confirmed the allegations, a complaint was filed at the Omalur All Women Police Station. A POCSO case was registered, and Sivakumar was arrested.
#126 February 2025: Three teachers at a Panchayat Union middle school near Bargur—Arumugam (48), Chinnaswamy (57), and Prakash (37)—were arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly gang-raping an 8th grade student. The girl revealed to the headmistress that the assault resulted in pregnancy and an abortion. Child Welfare Committee officials investigated and filed a complaint. The teachers were suspended pending investigation.
#127 February 2025: A trustee of a private CBSE school near Manapparai and the husband of the principal allegedly sexually abused a 9-year-old student inside her classroom after sending the teacher outside on February 6, 2025. The victim’s grandmother lodged a complaint that night at the Manapparai All Women’s Police Station. Police arrested five individuals, including the trustee and senior staff members.
#128 February 2025: Sivakumar (48), a physical education teacher at a government school in Omalur, was booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly misbehaving with a plus-one student. On February 2, 2025, during a seminar at a polytechnic college, he allegedly acted inappropriately toward the student. The victim reported the incident to the school headmaster, who conducted an internal inquiry before filing a complaint with the Omalur All Women’s Police Station.
#129 April 2025: An 80-year-old woman died after being sexually assaulted by a drug addict, Nagaraj, who broke into her Chennai home. He attacked her, threatened her with death, and fled. Her son discovered her injured the next morning. Following her death, police arrested Nagaraj, who was identified as a local substance abuser, and remanded him to judicial custody.
#130 April 2025: A hostel warden and a Christian priest trainee were arrested for allegedly sexually harassing students at St. Xavier’s Britto Hostel in Trichy. Despite multiple complaints, no action was taken until students informed their parents. Following an inquiry by the District Child Protection Officer that confirmed the abuse, a POCSO case was registered against both accused at the Lalgudi All Women’s Police Station.
#131 April 2025: A 37-year-old Christian pastor, D. John Jebaraj, is absconding after allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls, aged 14 and 17, at his Coimbatore residence during a party. The victims included an orphan adopted by his father-in-law and her neighbour. Following a complaint, police registered a POCSO case and formed a special team to track down the accused.
#132 April 2025: A 61-year-old tailor, Abdul Majeed Khan, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing two 10-year-old girls in a Madurai park after luring one there under the guise of playing. The assaults came to light when the victims returned home and informed their parents, who promptly filed a complaint. Police registered a case under the POCSO Act and took him into custody.
#133 May 2025: A 34-year-old volleyball coach, Mohammed Kalilur Rahman, was arrested for sexually assaulting a minor student over several months by falsely promising to train her for state-level competitions. Already married to two women, he allegedly exploited her trust with promises of marriage. The abuse was uncovered during a child welfare inquiry after he ironically complained to Childline about her parents. A POCSO case was registered.
#134 May 2025: A 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death at her home in Pulivalam by an armed intruder. A 16-year-old girl who tried to intervene was also seriously injured and hospitalized. Neighbors chased and caught the attacker, handing him over to police.
#135 June 2025: An 80-year-old woman, Kausalya, was allegedly raped by four intoxicated men near Panruti in Cuddalore district while walking along Pulavanur Road. The men dragged her into bushes, stuffed soil into her mouth to silence her, and stole her jewellery before fleeing. Hearing her screams, locals rushed her to Cuddalore Government Medical College Hospital. Police registered a case.
#136 June 2025: A 10th-grade girl in Chennai was hospitalized after a medication-induced abortion, revealing she was sexually abused by Leo, a distant relative she met on Snapchat. He allegedly gave her drugs and assaulted her multiple times, leading to pregnancy. Investigation uncovered an associate, Prasanth, also supplied drugs and abused her. Hundreds of explicit videos were found on her phone. Both men were arrested, and the girl was placed in a rehabilitation center.
#137 June 2025: In Ranipet on 3 June 2025, a 19-year-old electrician, Nandakumar, allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered an 80-year-old woman in Kathiyavadi village. He entered her residence intoxicated around 5:30 PM. The woman lived with her family on a brick kiln premises. Police reviewed CCTV footage and identified the accused through local inquiry. He was apprehended near a hillock on June 4 and arrested under BNS Sections 64(1) and 103(1) for rape and murder.
#138 June 2025: A pregnant woman, Madhumitha, who went to file a sexual harassment complaint against a bakery owner, was allegedly assaulted by police officer Raman at Kanakamma Chatram station. Instead of registering her case, the officer physically attacked her and a companion, forcing them out. The incident, captured on video, sparked outrage and demands for action against both the officer and the accused.
#139 June 2025: A 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a security guard, Mathew, at a government service home in Chennai. He attacked her early in the morning, covering her face and threatening her into silence. Her screams alerted others, and CCTV footage led to his arrest. The victim, new to the home, was hospitalized with injuries, sparking outrage over shelter safety.
#140 July 2025: On July 12, a 10-year-old girl walking to her grandmother’s house in Tiruvallur was kidnapped by a man who followed her near a mango farm. He beat, bit, and allegedly raped her. When the suspect was distracted by a phone call, the girl escaped, spotted another child approaching, and stopped her from entering the danger zone. She returned home and informed her grandmother, who filed a complaint at Arambakkam police station.
#141 July 2025: A 51-year-old science teacher at a government school near Ooty was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting at least 21 girl students from Classes 7, 8, and 10. The abuse came to light during a police awareness program when students submitted written complaints. Although students had informed the headmistress in June, she only issued a private warning. Following the revelations, police registered a POCSO case and remanded the accused.
#142 July 2025: An 8-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by Armed Police Sub-Inspector Raji in Nungambakkam after he reportedly administered an anesthetic injection. The child was found unconscious at his residence, and upon regaining consciousness, disclosed the abuse. The family faced initial resistance when filing a complaint, leading to protests. A POCSO case was registered, and the accused is under investigation while denying the allegations.
#143 July 2025: A 75-year-old Christian preacher, Aruldas, and a driver, Palani, were arrested for sexually abusing eight girls at an orphanage in Chengalpattu. The facility’s manager, Priya, was also held for covering up the abuse. Following a tip-off, child protection officials rescued all 34 children. The three accused were remanded to custody, with Aruldas hospitalized after complaining of chest pain during arrest.
#144 July 2025: A 16-year-old girl in Sengundram is four months pregnant after allegedly being sexually abused for years by her paternal uncle, Jamaludeen, who was her guardian. Despite the family filing a complaint on June 23rd, police initially failed to act, and the accused was reportedly released after being detained. Although the victim is now receiving hospital care, the family faces continued intimidation to drop the case, with no firm action taken against the perpetrator.
#145 July 2025: A Christian pastor, Regimon, was arrested for attempting to sexually assault a married woman at his Pentecostal church in Kanyakumari under the guise of healing her illness. He allegedly claimed her health issues stemmed from her husband and that sleeping with him would cure her. After he assaulted her during a private prayer session, she escaped and filed a complaint, leading to his arrest and judicial custody.
#146 August 2025: Three girl students at a government school in Kinathukadavu posted videos on social media alleging sexual harassment by their botany and music teachers, including inappropriate touching during dance practice and under the guise of encouragement. They claimed complaints to school authorities were ignored. Following public outrage, officials launched an inquiry and registered POCSO cases against the two teachers. All five staff members named were transferred to different schools as a precaution.
#147 August 2025: Abdul Hakeem, a TMMK state treasurer, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a woman employee at a fertilizer company in Villupuram. Police investigations revealed he sent inappropriate WhatsApp messages and is accused of harassing over ten women. Following a complaint, authorities registered a case and took him into custody.
#148 August 2025: A 55-year-old preacher, Varghese, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy during a Vacation Bible School in Kanyakumari after isolating him overnight. The victim returned home traumatized, but church officials pressured the family not to report it. Two months later, they filed a complaint, leading to his POCSO arrest. This follows a similar 2008 allegation that was allegedly suppressed.
#149 September 2025: An 11th standard girl from Pudupalayam, staying at her uncle’s house during school holidays, was grazing goats near a lake when two brothers, Ramajayam (33) and Pavankumar (31), who were also grazing goats nearby, allegedly gang-raped her. A 57-year-old man, Selvaraj, who witnessed the attack, allegedly threatened and sexually harassed her. The girl confided in her grandmother and aunt, leading to a complaint at Chengam All Women Police Station. All three were arrested under the POCSO Act and jailed.
#150 September 2025: On 30 September 2025, Sub-Inspector Suresh Raj and Constable Sundar of Tiruvannamalai East Police Station were arrested for sexually assaulting a woman from Andhra Pradesh. The officers stopped a fruit cargo vehicle carrying two sisters for inspection on Enthal Bypass Road. They separated the siblings, took them to a nearby grove, and allegedly assaulted one woman in her sister’s presence before threatening them and fleeing. The victim was hospitalized at Tiruvannamalai Government Medical College Hospital with police security.
#151 September 2025: A 52-year-old private college professor, S. Tamil, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old student. He called the first-year student to his room, offered to buy her a mobile phone, and then behaved inappropriately. Though she immediately reported the incident to faculty, the college took no action. After her parents filed a complaint, police registered a POCSO case and remanded him to custody, with further investigation pending.
#152 September 2025: A teacher, Shivakumar, was arrested under the POCSO Act after five students at a government-aided school near Kulithalai accused him of sexual harassment. The victims contacted the Child Helpline, prompting an inquiry by Child Welfare Committee officials, who confirmed the allegations. Based on their findings and a formal complaint, police arrested him and launched a further investigation.
#153 September 2025: A 52-year-old English teacher, Guru Vinayagam, was suspended after female students complained to the Tirunelveli District Collector alleging sexual harassment, including inappropriate language and behavior. An inquiry by the District Principal Education Officer confirmed the allegations, leading to his suspension. The teacher claimed the complaint was retaliation for questioning the headmistress about collecting money from students.
#154 September 2025: A karate trainer, Abdul Waqab, was arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting a 13-year-old student over four years and harassing other women in Tirunelveli. He gained her trust, manipulated her, and threatened her family when confronted. Investigation revealed at least eight victims, with some dying by suicide. He was booked under relevant laws after a complaint, with authorities seeking further cases.
#155 October 2025: A 15-year-old orphaned girl was trafficked by her mother’s friend and her niece, who lured her into prostitution with promises of money and gifts. They introduced her to multiple clients, including a supporting actor and a local DMK functionary, who sexually assaulted her at a lodge. Following a tip-off, police rescued the girl in August and have since arrested eight individuals, who were charged under the POCSO Act and remanded to custody.
#156 October 2025: A 38-year-old truck driver, Benjamin, was arrested for allegedly raping a 25-year-old IT employee at her hostel in Kazhakkoottam during an attempted theft. He entered her unlocked room after stealing from another hostel. Following a dramatic chase in Madurai, police apprehended him using CCTV footage. He was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
#157 November 2025: A 22-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times after she screamed for help when a mosque employee, Abdul Aziz, allegedly tried to sexually assault her inside the Narikudi Jumma Mosque. She had approached him seeking prayers for health issues. Passersby caught him and handed him over to police. The victim was hospitalized, and Aziz was arrested as tensions rise in the area.
#158 November 2025: DMK Villupuram Central District Union Secretary Thiruvakkarai Baskaran was absconding after a 35-year-old woman filed a complaint alleging he sexually assaulted her repeatedly over six months. The victim, married for 15 years and living alone, sought his help for construction materials. Baskaran allegedly videotaped the first assault and used it to blackmail and threaten her repeatedly, forcing compliance. A case was registered at Kottakuppam All Women Police Station.
#159 November 2025: A 43-year-old Christian priest, Panneerselvam, was booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old girl during an extracurricular training session at Ottasai Matha Church. Though a woman teacher was assigned, the accused occasionally conducted classes. The victim informed her mother, leading to a joint complaint at Srivaikuntam police station, where a case was registered and an investigation initiated.
#160 November 2025: A 21-year-old Muslim man, Abdul Kaif, allegedly abducted a 17-year-old girl in Krishnagiri, forcibly converted her to Islam, and married her through a nikah ceremony. Despite her father’s complaint, police initially sent the girl with the accused. She later revealed she was coerced into signing an Urdu register and consummating the marriage. Following outrage, a POCSO case was registered against Kaif.
#161 November 2025: On 2 November 2025, an MBA student was speaking with her friend inside a car near Coimbatore International Airport around 11 PM when a three-member gang on a stolen motorbike attacked them. They assaulted the man, forced him out, and kidnapped the woman. They took her to a secluded area behind a private college and gang-raped her, then abandoned her without clothes. The friend alerted police, who found her unconscious at 4 AM. She was hospitalized.
#162 December 2025: A 43-year-old idiyappam vendor, Fakir Mohammed, was arrested for allegedly luring three minor sisters aged 7, 10, and 12 into a house in Karur and sexually abusing them. The crime came to light when the eldest survivor confided in her parents, who filed a complaint. Police swiftly registered a POCSO case and remanded the accused to judicial custody.
#163 December 2025: A 27-year-old labour agent, Mohammed Mahbul Hussein, and two minor boys allegedly gangraped a migrant woman from Assam in front of her husband after they attempted to flee poor working conditions. The couple was intercepted near Palayamkottai, the husband beaten, and the woman assaulted in a forest area before being abandoned. All three were arrested following a police investigation.
Instances from 2026
#164 January 2026: A 35-year-old trainee doctor, Gopinath, was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually harassing a 15-year-old girl at Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. The girl was staying at the facility to care for her younger brother, who was admitted for treatment. Gopinath was booked by the all-women police and subsequently lodged in Pudukottai prison. This incident is his second such offense, following a previous suspension in July 2025 for harassing a nurse, after which he was reinstated by a court order.
#165 January 2026: A canteen master, Gunasekar, was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a 22-year-old woman with mild intellectual disability at a government college in Chennai. Colleagues filed a complaint after he repeatedly exploited her on campus. During questioning, he suggested others may also be involved. Police conducted a detailed investigation to identify additional perpetrators.
#166 January 2026: A 24-year-old man, Ajith Kumar, allegedly broke into a 75-year-old woman’s home in Vellore while intoxicated, demanding money. When she refused, he assaulted and sexually abused her, leaving her unconscious. Neighbors found her the next day. After initially being discharged from the hospital, she disclosed the assault to her son. Police arrested Kumar, confirming he was under the influence of ganja.
#167 January 2026: A migrant worker’s body was found stuffed in a sack in Adyar, leading police to uncover a triple murder. The victim, Gaurav Kumar, his wife Munita, and their toddler were killed after Kumar confronted the accused over his wife’s sexual assault. Five suspects were arrested. The child’s body was recovered from a riverbank, while the search for the woman’s remains continues.
#168 February 2026: A 63-year-old private school administrator and retired teacher, Selva Soundar Pandian, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a Class 7 girl on the school premises in Tenkasi. Following a complaint by the victim’s parents, police registered a POCSO case and remanded him to custody. Relatives of the student protested at the police station, demanding strict action against the accused, who is a former MLA’s brother.
#169 February 2026: A two-and-a-half-year-old girl died after being sexually assaulted by her mother’s partner, Periyanayagam, a 40-year-old DMK Youth Wing secretary. The accused attacked the child while her mother was away from home. Initially presented as a seizure death, a post-mortem revealed internal injuries, leading to police action. Following the father’s complaint, Periyanayagam was arrested under the POCSO Act for assault resulting in death.
#170 February 2026: A 56-year-old social science teacher, Raj Manohar, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing seven Class 10 students at a government school near Kumbakonam. The students immediately reported the incident to the headmaster, who escalated the matter to district officials. Following a formal complaint by parents, police registered a POCSO case and remanded the accused to custody.
#171 March 2026: An unidentified man allegedly broke into a couple’s home near Uthangarai, fatally attacking a 71-year-old man and sexually assaulting his 61-year-old wife before fleeing. The woman raised an alarm after the intruder escaped upon hearing a passing vehicle. While the husband died in the hospital, his wife was treated and discharged. Relatives later protested, demanding the suspect’s immediate arrest, prompting police to form five special teams to investigate the case.
#172 March 2026: A police constable, Surya, allegedly entered a woman’s Royapettah home while intoxicated and in uniform, attempting to sexually harass her. The victim locked him inside, recorded a video, and alerted neighbors. He was taken into custody by his own station’s officers. Following her complaint, legal action was initiated.
#173 March 2026: A 56-year-old Rapido auto driver, Mohammed Azimuddin, was arrested for sexually harassing a 24-year-old woman passenger in Chennai. During the ride, he allegedly grabbed her hand and placed it on his shoulder after she touched his seat for balance. When she shouted, he stopped at a deserted spot, threatened her, and fled. Police traced him through Rapido and remanded him to custody.
#174 March 2026: Unidentified individuals allegedly broke into three consecutive homes in Chennai’s Kodungaiyur, sexually harassing the women inside before fleeing. The incident has sparked concern among local residents. Police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the assaults.
#175 March 2026: A 14-year-old girl was gang-raped by two men in Madurantakam after being abandoned by her companions following a motorcycle accident. The trio was fleeing from the intoxicated suspects when they crashed, leaving the injured girl behind near Athivakkam lake. The men dragged her to a secluded spot and assaulted her before fleeing. Despite her injuries and trauma, the girl walked 12-16 kilometers through the night to reach Chengalpet Government Hospital, where she reported the crime at dawn. Police arrested suspect ‘Kakka’ Balaji, a known offender with prior cases, while four special teams search for his accomplice. The survivor is stable and receiving treatment.
#176 March 2026: A 24-year-old construction worker, R. Manikandan, allegedly lured a seven-year-old girl from near her home in Komarapalayam at night and sexually assaulted her. He abandoned her near a bridge, where passersby found her and alerted her family. Following the complaint, locals captured the suspect and assaulted him before his arrest. Police later assured protesting family members that strict legal action would be taken.
#177 March 2026: In a horrific incident in Thoothukudi district, a 17-year-old Class 12 student was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered, with her body dismembered and discarded near Vilathikulam. The girl went missing earlier this week. Her remains were discovered by authorities on Wednesday, with body parts recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.
#178 March 2026: A college student from Tiruchirappalli, staying at an Adyar hostel for project work at CLRI, was allegedly abducted by a gang on February 14, 2026. They sedated her and sexually assaulted her. Days later, after hospital discharge, the same gang abducted and raped her again, threatening to kill her if she reported it. She confided in her boyfriend and filed a complaint at Abiramapuram All Women Police Station. Police have registered the case and were verifying facts before proceeding with arrests.
This is not an exhaustive list of the crimes committed against women under the DMK regime; these are only a part of the reported instances of crimes against women and children across the state. Several such cases may have gone unreported, and most do not reach the mainstream media as well.
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