The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of a disturbing case involving a 21-year-old college student from Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, who has accused DMK youth wing functionary Deivaseyal of sexual harassment and attempted grooming for politicians. The survivor recently shared an emotional video online, expressing her anguish and alleging that the police were treating her like a criminal while the accused remained at large and unaccountable.
In response, the NCW on 21 May 2025, issued a formal communication to the Director General of Police (DGP), Tamil Nadu, urging a swift, fair, and transparent investigation. The Commission stressed the importance of safeguarding the survivor, forming an independent investigative team, ensuring no political interference, and taking appropriate action under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The NCW also requested a detailed Action Taken Report and a copy of the FIR within three days.
On its official account on platform X, the NCW stated, “NCW has taken Suo-motu cognisance of a disturbing media report titled “DMK leader’s wife alleges he forced girls to ‘sleep with politicians’”, involving serious allegations of sexual harassment and coercion by a DMK youth wing office bearer. In light of the grave nature of the accusations and the political affiliations of the accused, the Hon’ble Chairperson has written to the DGP of Tamil Nadu urging immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation. The letter emphasizes the need to ensure the survivor’s safety, constitute an independent investigation team, prevent any political interference, and take prompt action under relevant provisions of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The Commission has also sought a detailed Action Taken Report along with a copy of the FIR within three days.”
College Student’s Heart-Wrenching Plea Prompts NCW Action
The National Commission for Women’s decision to take suo motu cognizance of the sexual harassment allegations against DMK youth wing functionary Deivaseyal comes in the wake of a deeply emotional video shared by the 21-year-old survivor on social media. In her video, the student expressed severe distress over the authorities’ handling of her case, alleging that instead of supporting her, the police have been treating her like an offender, while the accused remains untouched.
She further accused the DMK IT Wing of breaching her privacy by publicly sharing her personal photos and copies of her statements on social media. Despite lodging a complaint at the Tamil Nadu DGP’s office three days prior, she stated that no FIR had been filed, and no action had been taken. Instead, she claimed, police officials were pressuring her to provide the names of 20 other alleged victims, rather than focusing on arresting the accused.
In the video, the student emotionally recounts her situation saying, “When I come out and say, ‘He is doing wrong; he took me out and tried to do this,’ but now I find myself unable to go out. My father is not well, and I can’t take him to the hospital. I’m facing many indirect problems. The police come to my house and take photos, but they are not taking any action. They are treating me like a criminal. Is there no one to deliver justice for women?”
She goes on to describe her frustration with the police, who had allegedly assured her that an FIR would be registered based on her complaint. However, she claims she was made to sign a statement restricting her from disclosing case details, even though she disagreed with how the police handled her narrative. She said, “Given everything that’s happened, I no longer have the confidence to speak to the media. I fear about committing suicide. I initially reached out to the media because I felt that if I were to lose my life, at least my story would be heard. However, they have left Devaseyal like he is a good man, and still, no FIR has been filed. What did CID Officer Srinath say at the DGP office? He told me to ‘go home confidently; an FIR will be filed with your petition.’ However, I no longer have the confidence I once had. After providing my statement, I found that I did not agree with how they approached my case. They did not ask about the important details, yet they have taken a statement in writing that I should not disclose what I said. I do not agree with that. I don’t have the same confidence as I did before I spoke with the media; I don’t have that mindset now. It’s been three days since my complaint was filed on Saturday, and there has been no action taken so far. He married me under false pretenses. Why is my situation being questioned? I boldly came forward to say that he cheated me and manipulated me into this situation. Instead of addressing my concerns, they are asking me for the names and locations of 20 other women. Am I expected to go and find them for you? Is there truly no justice for women? The public should bring me justice. They have left him free while doing nothing. I am unsure if any processes are ongoing.”
The survivor also named a DMK IT Wing member, identified as “Rahul”, accusing him of leaking her images and statements online, further endangering her safety and dignity, “The media blurs my face (in their reports, but individuals like) ‘Rahul DMK IT wing’ on Facebook continue to strip away my dignity. When I approached Jafar Siddique sir, he said he would look into it and asked if I had his number. Is it my responsibility to collect his number? If I tell him, he’ll ask me if I have the number, so I can see to it.”
The Case Background
A 21-year-old second-year college student from Arakkonam in Ranipet district has come forward with serious allegations against a DMK functionary, accusing him of deceit and abuse under the pretense of marriage. Seeking justice, she reached out to multiple authorities but claimed her pleas were ignored.
On 10 May, during a birthday celebration for AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami held in Arakkonam, local AIADMK MLA Ravi was present at the event. The student approached him in public and, visibly distressed, submitted a petition detailing her ordeal and urged him to take action.
In her detailed petition, a 21-year-old student from Arakkonam has accused Deivaseyal, the deputy organizer of the DMK Union Youth Wing and a resident of Kavanur, of luring her into a relationship under false pretenses. Despite being married, Seyal allegedly manipulated her into a second marriage, which was reportedly performed at the Karikkal Temple in Sholingar on 31 January. What began as a seemingly consensual relationship took a darker turn by March, when the student claims he began groom her into sexual activities involving powerful DMK politicians.
When she resisted, Seyal allegedly turned physically abusive, beating her regularly and subjecting her to relentless harassment. She accused him of torture and sexual violence, claiming he openly stated that “his job is to force 20-year-old girls to sleep with politicians.” Describing the abuse, she said, “He would bite me like a mad dog,” and threatened to burn her family alive if she ever approached the police.
Unable to cope with the continued abuse, she attempted suicide by consuming poison on 5 April. Her family intervened in time, and she was rushed to Arakkonam Government Hospital before being transferred to Thiruvallur Government Hospital for further treatment. She later alleged that the police failed to investigate this suicide attempt, further compounding her distress.
Even after she left Seyal’s residence and returned to her mother’s home to resume her studies, the harassment reportedly continued. She claimed that Seyal assaulted her on her way to college, caused physical injuries, and destroyed her mobile phone. “He told me, ‘Complain if you want—nothing will happen. The police are on my side.’ Because of him, I tried to take poison,” she said.
The survivor went on to allege that Seyal introduced her to several other men, implying that she was being prepared for sexual exploitation. “He tortured me inside the car and pointed to men, telling me to sleep with them. I can’t even leave my house now. I couldn’t take my exams,” she recounted. She also said he would publicly humiliate and abuse her, even in front of others.
Her efforts to seek justice were repeatedly thwarted by bureaucratic hurdles. When she approached the Arakkonam City Police Station, she was turned away on the grounds of jurisdiction. At the All Women Police Station, she was told the inspector was unavailable and was advised to go to the Taluka Police Station. Frustrated by the inaction, she took her complaint to the Superintendent of Police in Ranipet, only to be redirected once again to the Deputy Superintendent’s office in Arakkonam, where she alleges her complaint was still not seriously pursued.
With no other recourse, she made a direct appeal to local AIADMK MLA Ravi at a public event, pleading for help and highlighting the police’s reluctance to act due to the accused’s connections within the ruling DMK. The MLA reportedly assured her that he would stand by her and push for justice.
Following growing public outrage and media attention, the Arakkonam All Women Police Station finally registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Deivaseyal based on the student’s formal complaint. However, the survivor says she still fears for her safety and questions whether real justice will follow.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally
