In a case that mirrors the recent sexual harassment incident involving a college student in Arakkonam, a 24-year-old woman from Thoothukudi has come forward with serious allegations of repeated harassment and intimidation by a known history-sheeter, Thenmalai Thenkumaran. The woman (identity withheld), who works as a merchandiser in a private firm, shared her ordeal in a viral audio clip that has sparked public outrage.
According to the woman, Thenkumaran has a history of criminal behavior and has repeatedly harassed her during her daily commute—attempting to hit her with his vehicle and making obscene gestures. The situation escalated on 24 December, when she was walking in a nearby park and he approached her aggressively, attempting to sexually harass her. Terrified, she fled the scene and immediately lodged a complaint at the Pudukkottai All-Women Police Station.
Despite multiple attempts to seek protection and justice, Sangeetha claims that the system has failed her. She filed complaints at the SIPCOT police station, submitted petitions to the Chief Minister’s Cell, and even approached the National Human Rights Commission. Yet, all these complaints were redirected to the same DSP and SP officers she accuses of being biased.
In her audio testimony, the victim says that after she escalated the matter to higher authorities, the accused was allegedly encouraged by the police to retaliate. A counter SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act complaint was filed against her based on the Thenkumaran’s complaint —an act she describes as deeply shocking and unjust.
In his complaint, he claimed that he was chopping away a Moringa tree with his labourers when the woman allegedly made casteist abuses and spat on him. He goes on to claim that upon enquiring he came to know that she was the same woman who had given a complaint against him earlier.
The victim said, “Sir, my name is Sangeetha. I am 24 years old and from Thoothukudi. I work as a merchandiser in a private company. I was on my way to the office when Thenmalai Thenkumaran, who is an H.S. (History-Sheeter) rowdy, sir. Whenever I commuted, he used to harass me like trying to hit me with his car and making vulgar gestures.
On December 24, I was walking in a nearby park, and he came again. He came very close to me, as if he was trying to sexually harass me. I got scared and ran back to my house. Immediately, I went to the Pudukkottai All-Women Police Station and filed a complaint. They investigated the matter and took action. He was arrested and jailed under an FIR. He remained in jail for a month.
After his release, he came to my house and threatened us with a knife because we had filed a case against him. I escaped from the house in a slip of the moment and ran out through the back door.
Regarding this, I went to the local police station in SIPCOT and filed a complaint. They said, ‘Okay, we will take action.’ They collected a petition. For about 10 days, various team kept calling, asking about the case that should be investigated. I gave statements to everyone. But no action was taken he was still roaming free. When I asked them (police) why no action was taken, they told me to approach the DSP. Later, I came to know indirectly that the DSP had put the case on hold and advised the department not to proceed with it.
In connection with this, on February 11, I went to the DIG office and reported that the DSP was biased towards the accused. They (DIG) issued an order, and an FIR was filed—but still, no action was taken.
So, I submitted a petition online to the CM Cell against the DSP. But mistakenly, the case was assigned to the same Rural DSP, for investigation. Out of retaliatory vengeance, they took a PCR complaint from the accused and filed a case against me.
When we inquired about this, they (police) told us to reach the SP and said the FIR was filed based on the SP’s orders. While petitioning the CM Cell, I had also submitted a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission. That too was forwarded to the district SP for further action.
Now that the FIR against me was initiated based on their orders, I don’t know how fair they will provide me with any solution. I am reaching out to you as a last hope. Please treat me like your sister and help me, sir. Please!”
(With inputs from Maridhas)
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