All 9 Accused Convicted in 2019 Sexual Assault Case, Verdict Sparks Widespread Reaction

CHENNAI:
In a landmark judgment that resonated across Tamil Nadu, the sessions court in Coimbatore on Monday convicted all nine accused in the infamous 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case. The court, presided over by Judge R Nandhini Devi, pronounced all the accused guilty of heinous crimes including gangrape, repeated sexual assault, and criminal conspiracy. The sentencing is expected to be delivered by noon, with the prosecution seeking life imprisonment for each of the convicts.

The nine convicts — Sabarirajan alias Rishwanth (32), Thirunavukarasu (34), T Vasantha Kumar (30), M Sathish (33), R Mani alias Manivannan, P Babu (33), Haron Paul (32), Arulanantham (39), and Arun Kumar (33) — were brought to the court under tight police security. The Salem Central Prison inmates had been in custody since their arrest in 2019. Security was stepped up across Coimbatore, with the court complex and other sensitive areas witnessing heightened vigilance.

The Pollachi case had sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu, drawing national attention to the harrowing tales of abuse and blackmail. The court proceedings were built on a strong base of over 200 documentary pieces of evidence and 400 electronic submissions, including forensic-validated video footage of the assaults. The prosecution highlighted that no witness had turned hostile, thanks in part to the protection offered under the Witness Protection Act.

Despite the scale of the crime, only eight survivors formally came forward, with rights groups attributing this to the societal stigma and fear of backlash that often silence victims of sexual violence.

The incidents, which occurred between 2016 and 2018, revealed a horrifying pattern of systemic exploitation. The survivors — including college students — were lured, assaulted, filmed, and blackmailed repeatedly for sexual favours and money. The case spotlighted not just the brutality of the perpetrators, but also the deep-rooted societal challenges that discourage women from seeking justice.

Initially investigated by the local Pollachi police, the case was later handed over to the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-CID, and eventually to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following public outcry demanding an impartial and thorough probe.

Welcoming the court’s decision, women’s rights organisations stressed that the verdict must now be followed by tangible support for the survivors. “Justice in court must translate to justice in life. Survivors need immediate counselling, financial compensation, and access to government jobs. Only then can they begin to heal and rebuild,” said a spokesperson for the Tamil Nadu Women’s Collective.

The AIADMK-led government at the time of the incident faced flak for its delayed response and the alleged attempts to downplay the severity of the case. Public protests and widespread outrage had forced the government to act, eventually resulting in the CBI taking over the investigation.

The Pollachi case has now become a defining moment in the fight against gender-based violence in India, particularly in the context of institutional challenges, societal shame, and the courage of survivors.

As the court prepares to announce the punishment, eyes remain on Coimbatore, hoping the verdict paves the way for lasting reforms, survivor dignity, and strengthened legal frameworks to combat sexual violence.