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Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 14 (ANI): In a significant judgment in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault and extortion case, the Mahila Court in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore convicted all nine accused.
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai welcomed the Women's Court verdict in Coimbatore in which all nine accused guilty in the Pollachi sexual assault and rape case were awarded life imprisonment.
Speaking to ANI, Annadurai said, "It was a fight carried out by so many people, including the DMK party. We fought against the way the then AIADMK government tried to scuttle the investigation. They didn't even register an FIR when these allegations came out because the people involved belonged to the AIADMK party. After relentless protests by DMK, it was transferred to the CBI."
Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Social Welfare and Women's Rights Minister Geetha Jeevan also welcomed the Women's Court verdict and said that the decision to sentence Pollachi sex offenders to life imprisonment until death is welcome.
Speaking at a press conference, Geetha Jeevan said, "Justice has been done in the Pollachi rape case. The victims have got justice. I commend the women who were determined to punish the culprits. This verdict has created confidence among the people and women. I commend the CBI and police officers who kept the victims' secrets. This verdict will create fear in the perpetrators and their accomplices. This verdict will reduce sexual crimes."
She further said that Pollachi itself is a witness to the evil regime, when a complaint was filed regarding this crime, those in power at the time did not register a case.
"Only after Chief Minister Stalin took charge did he launch a fierce legal struggle and register a case. Similarly, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is giving great importance to the protection of women and children," she added.
This comes after the Women's court judge Nandhini Devi on Tuesday held all nine accused guilty in the Pollachi sexual assault and rape case.
All nine accused, including Thirunavukkarasu, Sabarirajan, Sathish, Vasanthakumar, Manivannan, Heranpal, Babu, Arulanandam, and Arunkumar, were presented in front of the court on Tuesday morning.
The Pollachi sexual assault and gang rape case took place in 2019 when nine men allegedly assaulted a young woman. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigated the case, and the trial was completed in the Coimbatore Women's Court.
In the Pollachi sex scandal, more than 50 women were allegedly lured and sexually harassed by a gang of four and the acts were videotaped.
DMK leaders had alleged that the Tamil Nadu police failed to take action in the Pollachi case as some people from the ruling AIADMK were involved.
The trial was held based on 50 witnesses, and more than 240 documents were presented on behalf of the government in front of the court. Additionally, eight women testified against the nine accused. (ANI)