Alarming Rise in Sexual Harassment Cases Across Coimbatore Region

Recent incidents of sexual violence in Coimbatore and surrounding areas have raised serious concerns about women’s safety in public spaces. These cases highlight a troubling pattern that demands our collective attention and action.

The Recent Peelamedu Incident

Two days ago, around 8 PM, a disturbing incident occurred in the Peelamedu area of Coimbatore. A 21-year-old woman who works as a trainee at a local beauty center was walking alone when she encountered a dangerous situation.

A man on a two-wheeler initially approached her in what appeared to be an attempt to intimidate her with his vehicle. When the woman tried to distance herself by walking faster, the man followed her, attempted to engage her in conversation, and then sexually harassed her. The woman’s screams alerted neighbors, causing the assailant to flee quickly in his vehicle.

Demonstrating remarkable courage, the young woman immediately reported the incident to the Peelamedu police station. Officers investigated thoroughly, reviewing CCTV footage from the area that led to the identification of the suspect. Police have since arrested a man identified as Sarathkumar, originally from Tirunelveli but currently working and residing in Coimbatore. Following his arrest, he was remanded to custody.

Gang Rape of a Young Woman by Seven College Students

A 17-year-old girl was gang-raped by seven college students in the city on Sunday after a two of her social media friends invited her to meet them at Kuniyamuthur. The Ukkadam police on Monday arrested seven college students in connection with the case.

According to an investigation officer, the minor girl, who lives with her grandmother, left the house on Sunday evening. “When she didn’t return home by night, her family members launched a search for her and attempted to reach her on her mobile phone, which they found was switched off. They searched various places, but in vain. Finally, her father lodged a complaint with us the same night.”

The Ukkadam police registered a missing person case and initiated an investigation. The girl, meanwhile, returned home on Monday morning. “When we held an inquiry with her, the minor girl told us that she was very active on social media and had befriended many people on Instagram and Snapchat. Recently, two of her social media friends invited her to meet them at Kuniyamuthur. On Sunday, one of them picked her up on a two-wheeler and took her to a room at Kuniyamuthur, where seven private college students gang-raped her,” the officer said.

Based on her statement, police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and arrested Rakshith, 19, Abineshwaran, 19, Deepak, 20, Yadav Raj, 20, Muthu Nagaraj, 20, Nithish, 19, and Jebin, 20. Police refused to share more details about the arrested seven, who were produced before a judicial magistrate and lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison under judicial custody.

The Pattern of Increasing Violence Against Women

This incident represents part of a troubling pattern of sexual violence occurring throughout Tamil Nadu. Several recent cases have raised significant concerns:

The assault of a pregnant woman on a train near Vellore generated widespread public outrage. In Manapparai, authorities made multiple arrests, including a school principal’s husband and a teacher, in connection with the alleged assault of a female student. Coimbatore itself recently witnessed the reported gang rape of a 17-year-old girl.

In neighboring Tiruppur, a particularly disturbing case involved a family waiting at the railway station who were approached by three men from Bihar claiming to offer employment opportunities. According to reports, these individuals subsequently took the woman to an isolated location and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint in the presence of her husband and child.

Additionally, a painting instructor at a Central Government educational institution on Bettany Road in Coimbatore was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly harassing female students.

Systemic Concerns and Vulnerable Populations

These incidents highlight several critical concerns regarding public safety:

• The reported cases span diverse demographics and locations, affecting women and girls across different age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. The incidents have occurred in educational institutions, public transportation, streets, and other public spaces, suggesting a pervasive safety issue.
• Of particular concern is how these crimes potentially impact women’s fundamental freedom of movement, affecting their educational opportunities, employment prospects, and overall independence within society.
• These cases represent not merely isolated incidents but potential indicators of deeper societal issues regarding gender relations, respect for boundaries, and the protection of vulnerable individuals in public spaces.
• Local authorities continue to investigate these matters while implementing enhanced security measures across the region.