A 19-year-old college student was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted near Coimbatore International Airport on Sunday night, prompting widespread outrage and political reactions across Tamil Nadu. Police have arrested three men in connection with the incident after opening fire on them during an attempted escape.
Police said the student was travelling with a male friend around 11 p.m. when three men on a motorcycle intercepted their car near the airport. The attackers allegedly smashed the car’s window, assaulted the student’s friend and forcibly took the woman to an isolated location, where the sexual assault took place.
The victim was later traced and taken to a hospital for treatment. Her friend, who sustained injuries while trying to intervene, is also receiving medical care.
Three suspects - identified as Guna, Karuppasamy (alias Satish) and Karthik (alias Kaleeswaran) - were arrested within hours of the complaint. According to officials, the men tried to flee and allegedly attacked police personnel during the chase. Officers opened fire, injuring them in the legs before taking them into custody.
The accused have been admitted to a government hospital and will be produced before a magistrate after medical examination. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS, including rape and abduction.
The incident has sparked a sharp political backlash. BJP state president K. Annamalai condemned the crime and accused the DMK government of failing to ensure women’s safety. In a post on X, he wrote that under the current regime, “anti-social elements have no fear of the police or the law.” Opposition parties and women’s organisations have also criticised the state administration and demanded stronger policing measures.
Coimbatore Police Commissioner A Saravana Sundar said seven special teams have been formed to gather evidence, including CCTV footage from the area. The crime, which occurred close to a high-security zone near the airport, has raised questions about public safety and policing efficiency. Authorities have assured a time-bound probe, while activists have called for improved night surveillance and greater protection for students and working women in urban areas.
