The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) welcomes the verdict of the Coimbatore Mahila Court in the horrifying Pollachi (Coimbatore district) sexual abuse and extortion case, and hails it as a victory for justice. Young women were confined, tortured, sexually assaulted by a gang, and blackmailed with obscene videos in 2019. AIDWA had led continuous protests across all districts of Tamil Nadu demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits. The then AIADMK government and the police tried to shield the perpetrators of this heinous crime. However, the determined mass movement forced the arrest of the accused.
The verdict was delivered yesterday, on 13 May 2025, by Hon. Judge Thirumigu Nandini Devi of the Coimbatore Mahila Court, declaring all nine convicts as guilty and sentencing them all to life imprisonment till natural death after a tedious legal battle for six long years. The court has also ordered a compensation of Rs. 85 lakhs to be provided to the survivors.
AIDWA extends its heartfelt appreciation to the government prosecutors who fought relentlessly to ensure punishment for the criminals in this case. Here, it is important to mention that during this legal battle, the police filed four cases against AIDWA district leaders for fighting for justice to the victims. The then ruling party goons resorted to intimidation and threats to dissuade activists from pursuing the case. AIDWA salutes the young women, who stood firm with courage and integrity, braving all odds till the end for six long years, and refused any kind of compromise in their pursuit of justice
AIDWA calls upon the Tamil Nadu state government to ensure protection for the affected families and demands that the government take the responsibility for the rehabilitation of all the victims including employment for the women survivors.
