The state of Tamil Nadu, once considered a safe haven for women, seems to be witnessing a disturbing shift, where women of all ages now face threats to their safety in public spaces. Recent reports from various districts reveal a sharp increase in crime against women. Compounding their plight are rising incidents of assault and rape, many of which go unreported. Even when victims do come forward, cases are often neglected due to political pressure or financial influence. Furthermore, breaches of victim confidentiality have emboldened offenders, making crimes against women more audacious.
Below are some of the most shocking incidents that have recently occurred in the state.
Anna University On-campus Sexual Harassment Case
On 23 December 2024, a second-year college student sitting with a fellow student on the college campus was attacked, threatened, and subjected to sexual harassment.
It was alleged that two unknown individuals approached the couple, assaulted the boyfriend, and sexually harassed the woman. The assailants forced her to strip, filmed her without consent, threatened her, and fled the scene. The traumatized victim later reported the incident to the Kotturpuram police.
In connection with the case, police have arrested 37-year-old Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor from Kotturpuram with multiple pending cases against him. The police have filed charges under Section 64 of the BNSS and are actively investigating the matter.
The victim also lodged a complaint with the university’s POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee. Meanwhile, the Chennai police, in collaboration with the university, are working to enhance campus security.
However, it came to light that the accused Gnanasekaran is a repeat offender and a DMK functionary. Pictures circulating on social media show him alongside several prominent DMK leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister Ma. Subramanian.
The shocking details came to light after the All Women Police Station (AWPS) in Raja Annamalai Puram filed the FIR, which reveals a sequence of terrifying events that unfolded on 23 December 2024, within the Anna University campus.
The FIR states that Gnanasekaran filmed the survivor and her boyfriend on the campus before taking things to a terrifying level. He allegedly threatened to leak the footage to the university dean and the couple’s parents unless the student complied with his demands. He then forcibly took the survivor to a secluded area behind the Highway Lab Building and the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department building, where he presented her with three horrifying options: one, to be expelled from the university by the dean based on the footage he threatened to release; two, to “spend time” with him; and three, to “spend time” with another man who had reportedly called the accused before the assault.
According to the FIR, after making these threats, Gnanasekaran sexually assaulted the survivor between 7:45 PM and 8:20 PM on 23 December 2024. He also took a picture of her college ID card and extracted her father’s contact information from her phone before fleeing the scene. The survivor, in her written complaint, described how Gnanasekaran had received a phone call from an unknown person, during which he mentioned threatening the girl and leaving her.
The police investigation revealed that Gnanasekaran is no stranger to criminal activity, with seven other pending cases against him, including charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for lurking house-trespass and theft. He has now been charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections for rape and sexual harassment.
Women Cop Sexually Assaulted On Duty
On 26 December 2024, a Special Sub-Inspector (SSI) in Virudhunagar district was suspended following accusations of sexually assaulting a female police officer at Rajapalayam South Police Station.
The accused SSI, 52-year-old Mohanraj, married with two children and resided in the Malaiyadipatti Police Station quarters in Rajapalayam. He had reportedly struggled with habitual alcohol consumption.
The incident took place when Mohanraj reported to duty in an intoxicated state. Observing his condition, his colleagues directed him to rest in a room upstairs. However, while there, he allegedly approached a female officer and made inappropriate advances. Despite her efforts to avoid him, he reportedly assaulted her. The female officer cried for help and alerted her colleagues, who intervened and rescued her. CCTV footage from the police station reportedly captured the incident.
The victim filed a formal complaint with senior officials, prompting an investigation. Mohanraj was sent to the Rajapalayam Government Hospital, where medical tests confirmed that he was under the influence of alcohol during the incident.
Following this, Virudhunagar District Superintendent of Police Kannan ordered Mohanraj’s immediate transfer to the Armed Reserve Police. He was subsequently suspended pending further investigation and departmental action. The incident raised serious concerns about workplace safety for women in law enforcement and sparked demands for stricter accountability within the police force.
Madurai Assistant Jailor Suspended For Sexual Harassing A 14-Year-Old Girl
In another shocking incident, Assistant Jailor Balaguruswamy (52) of Madurai Central Jail was arrested on charges of sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl after a complaint from the girl’s family. The girl runs an idli shop with her father and is studying in the 10th grade. The prison administration has responded swiftly, removing him from his position.
The incident came to light after Balaguruswamy, who had visited a restaurant on Bypass Road owned by a man who had previously served his sentence at Madurai Central Jail, allegedly behaved inappropriately with the restaurant owner’s granddaughter. According to reports, Balaguruswamy had engaged in lewd conversations with both the restaurant owner’s daughter and granddaughter.
According to the girl’s family, Balagurusamy had frequented their family-owned eatery, where he allegedly developed a rapport with the minor. He had learned that the family member was studying to become a female police officer and had taken her phone number under the pretense of helping her. Over time, he began harassing her through messages on WhatsApp.
When she blocked him, he started coming to the shop frequently. The victim’s parents say that after their daughter rejected his advances, Balagurusamy continued to pursue her. The situation escalated when Balaguruswamy gave his phone number to the 14-year-old girl and invited her to meet him in the Karimedu area. The girl, feeling uncomfortable, confided in her family about the incident. On 21 December 2024, the girl’s relatives decided to confront Balaguruswamy, following her to the location where he had asked her to meet.
When they arrived, they caught Balaguruswamy speaking to the girl and immediately confronted him, physically attacking him with shoes. A video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing significant attention. Following the confrontation, the Madurai South Women’s Police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act based on the girl’s complaint. Balaguruswamy was arrested and charged with sexual harassment.
17-year-old Student Sexually Assaulted In Kanyakumari
On 26 December 2024, a 17-year-old Class 12 student from a school in Kanyakumari district was allegedly sexually assaulted after returning from a volleyball tournament from Trichy.
On 25 December 2024, the physical education teacher took 14 students, including the victim, to Trichy for the tournament. They returned to school on 26 December night. While most of the students were picked up by their parents, the victim stayed behind, stating that her father would arrive soon.
After the student decided to stand outside the school, a 37-year-old man noticed her by the roadside and asked why she was there. Unaware of his intentions, the student replied that she needed to use the bathroom, and the man pointed her to a nearby house. It is alleged that she went upstairs to use the bathroom. After coming back downstairs, the man allegedly led her to another room, locked it, and assaulted her.
The victim later returned home in distress and reported the incident. Her parents filed a complaint at the Marthandam All Women Police Station. Based on the complaint, police arrested Faisal Khan (37) from Manalikarai under the POCSO Act.
It is also alleged that the victim’s boyfriend, Regis Kumar (21), had taken the victim to Faisal Khan’s house that night. Additionally, Kumar has been accused of bringing other such students to his home, which has now come to light. The police are investigating whether other individuals were involved in the incident. The case is under investigation, and authorities are taking the necessary steps based on the victim’s statements.
38-Year-Old Woman Raped By Four Men In Ramanathapuram
On 29 December 2024, four young men were arrested for allegedly raping a 38-year-old woman in Ramanathapuram. The woman had visited her daughter, a college student, and was returning home in an auto rickshaw when the assault occurred.
As the vehicle approached Puthendhal around 8:30 pm, the woman requested the driver to stop so she could relieve herself near a railway track. While she was at the location, she was attacked by four young men, who then raped her.
The victim reported the incident to the Ramanathapuram Town police on 30 December, prompting an investigation. The case was quickly transferred to the All Women Police Station in Ramanathapuram for further action, with District SP G Chandeesh urging the police to expedite the inquiry.
Through their investigation, the police identified the suspects as Bhuvanesh Kumar, Saran Murugan, Selvakumar, and Muneeshkannan, all residents of Puthendhal. On 31 December, the All Women Police Station team arrested the suspects, charging them with rape and assault. The accused were presented before the Paramakudi Judicial Magistrate and subsequently remanded into judicial custody at the Ramanathapuram prison.
Minor Victim’s Mother Accuses Valasaravakkam Police of Ignoring Sexual Harassment Case Against Influential Local Figure’s Son
Similar to the allegations against the Anna Nagar police for disregarding a sexual harassment case involving a minor, a mother in Chennai has accused the Valasaravakkam All Women Police Station of failing to take decisive action. She alleges that the son of a local influential figure has been sexually harassing her minor daughter (14/16 years of age).
Despite the accused being arrested under the POCSO Act, he was released on bail. The mother claims that the accused has since threatened the minor and sexually harassed her again during New Year celebrations. Tearfully, the mother has pleaded for justice and support, urging authorities to act firmly to protect her daughter.
A young woman’s mother from Valasaravakkam, Chennai, has accused 27-year-old Prashanth, son of local figure Pandal Ravi, of repeated sexual harassment. Despite her mother lodging complaints at various places, including the All Women’s Police Station, Valasaravakkam and the Police Commissioner’s Office, no significant action has been taken. Frustrated by the inaction, the mother pursued legal recourse and filed an FIR, yet the case remains stalled without investigation.
Reports suggest that when the victim attempts to file complaints, the police appear to favor Prashanth. Allegations have surfaced that his political connections enable him to exert influence over law enforcement, with calls from his supporters allegedly pressuring officers to ignore the case.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as Prashanth is accused of harassing other victims in the past, drawing comparisons to the notorious Anna Nagar sexual harassment case of minor. The situation has escalated further, with Prashanth allegedly threatening to harm the victim and her family. The family is now pleading with authorities to intervene and ensure swift and just action.
Speaking to the press, the minor girl’s mother said, “On 14th April, we filed a complaint at the All Women’s Police Station regarding my daughter being sexually harassed. We went to court, and through that, an FIR was registered against the son of ‘Pandhal’ Ravi. Despite the FIR, he was released. Just yesterday, on New Year’s Day, he came to my daughter, used inappropriate language, and sexually harassed my daughter again. The police have still not taken any strong action. We don’t understand why they are acting so indifferently. I have come to you, hoping that you will ensure justice for my child.”
The press report further pressed her for more details, and she explained that, due to the police’s indifference and lack of action on her complaint, she took the matter to court. Despite the accused’s inappropriate behavior being well-known in the locality, which could easily be verified, the police station continued to provide him with a clean conduct record and support, while neglecting the victim. She also alleged that her petition was not being accepted. After the local police station and the Commissioner’s office failed to take her petition, they were forced to approach the court, which led to the FIR being filed. However, the accused was released just one day later.
When the press asked, “Why was he released?” the victim’s mother responded, “We don’t know, sir. Whenever we go there, they don’t respond to us. We can go, sit there, and leave without any answers,” she lamented about her situation.
Then, speaking about the threats made by ‘Pandhal’ Ravi’s son, Prashanth, the victim’s mother said, “He told my daughter, ‘I have already assaulted you, and asked you again. Wherever you complain, I will come out. I have that kind of influence. If you go any further with this, I’ll lit you and your mother.’ These are the threats he’s been making, and we are afraid to live there”
80-Year-Old Beggar Woman Raped On New Year’s Eve
In a tragic event on New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2024, an unidentified man allegedly raped an 80-year-old beggar woman near Hosur. According to police, the suspect, a man around 25 years old, approached the woman as she stood near the Hosur bus stand, where she often sought alms.
The man asked where she wanted to go, and she replied that she needed to travel to Kelamangalam. He offered to give her a ride on his motorcycle. However, instead of taking her to her intended destination, the man took her to the Perandapalli reserve forest, where he raped her. Afterwards, he fled the scene, leaving the 80-year-old beggar woman in the forest.
Residents alerted the police, who arrived at the location and transported the victim to Krishnagiri Government Medical College and Hospital. Her condition was reported to be stable.
The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Krishnagiri district Superintendent of Police, P Thangadurai, confirmed that a special team has been formed to apprehend the suspect. “We are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the man,” the SP stated.
Arabic Teacher Sexually Assaults Student, Survivor Gets Death Threats From Culprit’s Men
A Muslim student, who is a victim in a sexual harassment case involving an Arabic teacher named Ziauddin, has approached the DIG office in Thanjavur district to file a petition, alleging that the individuals involved in the case have been threatening her to withdraw the charges.
In 2021, a student at a private college near Kumbakonam accused Ziauddin, an Arabic teacher at the college, of sexually assaulting her over a span of three years. Even after she completed her studies, Ziauddin allegedly continued to threaten and harass her. The young woman has filed a complaint against six individuals, including Ziauddin. While Ziauddin has been arrested in connection with the POCSO case, the victim claims that the others involved have been threatening to kill her if she does not withdraw the case.
The victim stated to the press, “I have filed a complaint against six individuals, including the management and the main accused, Ziauddin. However, only he has been remanded, and the other five have not faced any consequences. They have only remanded him as others are wealthy. The others who are free outside continue to threaten us with murder every day. Ten to fifteen goons come to our home daily. We are not lying; we have CCTV evidence to prove.”
Systemic Failure?
These incidents are part of a larger, troubling pattern of rising sexual violence in Tamil Nadu. Many victims and their families report facing political influence and police indifference, which exacerbates the trauma of already vulnerable individuals. The victims, in some cases, have been subjected to additional harassment and intimidation after attempting to seek justice. There is an urgent need for swift action to restore public confidence in the justice system and to protect the most vulnerable from abuse.
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