Coimbatore Student Assault 3 Arrested in Shocking Kidnapping Case

A horrifying incident in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore has ignited widespread outrage after a woman college student was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted near the airport on Sunday. Police have arrested three men — identified as Thavasi, Karthik, and Kaliswaran — following a brief encounter early Tuesday. The accused were shot in the legs during the confrontation and later taken to the hospital for treatment.

According to police, the victim, a student at a private college, was sitting in a car with her male friend when the accused forcibly entered, abducted her, and took her to another location where the assault occurred. Seven special police teams were formed to track down the suspects, leading to their arrest within 48 hours of the incident.

The assault has triggered a major political storm in Tamil Nadu, with opposition leaders slamming the ruling DMK government over the deteriorating law and order situation. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami questioned whether the police were functioning effectively under Chief Minister MK Stalin and announced statewide protests demanding justice. BJP state president K Annamalai called the incident “utterly shocking” and accused the government of shielding criminals. He said the DMK administration had “completely failed” to ensure women’s safety and that “anti-social elements have no fear of the law.”

Actor-politician Vijay, who heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, also voiced concern, urging the Chief Minister to “wake up” and ensure public safety. He compared the incident to the Anna University case, saying the wounds of the previous assault had not yet healed when another tragedy occurred.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) termed the Coimbatore assault a serious failure of the state police and questioned, “How many more Nirbhayas before strict action is taken?”

Responding to the criticism, the ruling DMK and senior police officials denied claims of an increase in crimes against women. They said swift and strict action is being taken against offenders, highlighting the recent conviction in the Anna University assault case as proof of fast-track justice. DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah stated that despite the government’s efforts, such unfortunate incidents occasionally happen, but each case is pursued with urgency.

The Coimbatore assault has reignited concerns about women’s safety in Tamil Nadu and intensified political tensions ahead of the 2026 state elections, with all eyes now on how the government handles the ongoing investigation and public outrage.