#JustIn: Three Arrested in Coimbatore Student Abduction; Accused Shot While Fleeing
Three arrested after brutal assault near airport sparks outrage.
The postgraduate student, a 20-year-old from Madurai, who was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by three men near Coimbatore International Airport on Sunday night, was with her male friend in a parked car in Brindavan Nagar when the assailants smashed the window, attacked the friend with a sickle, and forcibly took her to a secluded location. She was found unconscious and partially unclothed around 4 a.m. Monday by police and rushed to a private hospital. Her friend, who sustained serious head injuries, was admitted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.
Acting swiftly, Coimbatore police arrested the three accused—Thavasi, Karthik, and Kaliswaran—early Tuesday following a brief encounter. The suspects attempted to flee and were shot in the legs; all are under treatment in police custody. Seven special teams, led by senior officers, tracked the men using CCTV footage, vehicle details, and local intelligence. The operation concluded within 48 hours of the crime, reflecting intense pressure on law enforcement to deliver justice.
The incident has triggered a severe political backlash ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami questioned the state of law enforcement under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, announcing statewide protests. BJP state president K. Annamalai accused the DMK government of shielding offenders and misusing police resources. TVK leader Vijay condemned the assault as evidence of deteriorating public safety, referencing the recent Anna University case. The NHRC chairperson criticized the incident as a failure of state policing.
Also Read: Three Men Abduct, Assault College Student Near Coimbatore Airport; Police Investigate
Opposition parties have intensified demands for accountability, alleging a breakdown in women’s safety since the DMK assumed power in 2021. Protests in Coimbatore and other districts continue, with calls for enhanced night patrols, faster trials, and increased police deployment in vulnerable areas. The case has amplified public and political discourse on systemic gaps in preventing crimes against women.
The DMK government and senior police officials maintain that crime rates are not rising disproportionately and that decisive action is being taken in every case. They cited the rapid arrests and the recent conviction in the Anna University assault as evidence of efficiency. Authorities have assured a thorough investigation and committed to transparency as the victim receives medical and psychological support.
Also Read: Shoe Attack on CJI Gavai Prompts Leaders’ Strong Constitutional Defense
