In a horrifying incident that has triggered widespread public anger in Tamil Nadu, two police constables from the Tiruvannamalai East Police Station were arrested and suspended from duty after allegedly gang-raping a 19-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Tuesday.
The victim and her elder sister had travelled from Chittoor district to Tiruvannamalai in a vehicle carrying fruits and vegetables, intending to sell their produce at the local market and visit the Arunachaleshwar Temple. However, their journey took a horrific turn near the Enthal bypass, where their truck was intercepted past midnight by two constables identified as Suresh Raj and Sundar on night patrol.
How the Incident Took Place?
Pretending to conduct a routine vehicle inspection, the policemen forced both sisters out of the vehicle. The younger sibling was then allegedly dragged into a nearby grove, where the officers sexually assaulted her in front of her sister. After the assault, the constables reportedly abandoned the women by the roadside and fled.
The survivours managed to make their way to the road, where workers from a nearby brick kiln spotted them around 4 am and immediately alerted emergency services. A 108 ambulance transported them to the Tiruvannamalai Government General Hospital, where medical staff confirmed signs of sexual assault and informed the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers from the Tiruvannamalai All Women Police Station recorded the survivour’s statement and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of gang rape and abduction. DIG G. Dharmarajan (Vellore Range) confirmed the arrest and said the accused have been remanded to judicial custody. The victim and her stepmother, who had accompanied her on the trip, have been shifted to a secure location.
Both Constables Arrested: Inspector
“The two constables were arrested today (Tuesday). Inquiries are on. We cannot divulge further information pending inquiries,” said Komalavalli, Inspector of the All Women Police Station.
Officials said both constables had been serving at the East Police Station for over a year. Based on the inquiry report, they were immediately suspended from duty. A senior officer said, “It was from the government hospital authorities that we were informed about the crime.”
High-ranking police officials, including SP M. Sudhakar and ASP V. Satish Kumar, visited the crime scene and are overseeing the investigation. A press statement from the department confirmed, “Steps are being taken to award the maximum punishment of dismissal from service.”
Political Leaders Criticise the Heinous Crime
The brutal nature of the crime has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders. AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the incident, calling it “a dark blot” on the state’s law and order system. He stated, “The DMK government has to bow down in shame. I condemn the Stalin model government for pushing women to protect themselves from the police who ought to be their stronghold.”
In another strong statement, he added, “What answer does this puppet CM have for such an atrocity, committed not by criminals on the street, but by the very police officers entrusted with protecting women? The DMK government under MK Stalin must hang its head in shame. The people of TN will not forgive a government that fails to protect its daughters.”
The Tamil Nadu Police have assured that a full investigation is underway, and support is being extended to the survivor. Meanwhile, public outrage continues to grow, as citizens and activists demand accountability from those in power and justice for the victim.
