Tamil Nadu: 8 Men Rape Dalit Woman for 7 Months; Govt Transfers Case to CB-CID

Two of the eight accused in the case have been identified as DMK functionaries.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday, 23 March, handed over the Virudhunagar sexual assault case to the CB-CID, amid uproar from the Opposition over two of the eight accused being DMK functionaries.

Stating that the accused had been arrested within 24 hours of the filing of the case, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that unlike the Pollachi case that had unfolded in a similar manner, the perpetrators of this case would be punished soon.

A 22-year-old Dalit woman was sexually assaulted by eight people for several months by threatening to leak her private videos. The accused DMK functionaries Hariharan (27) and Junaith Ahamed (27) have been suspended from the party.

The other six accused have been identified as Praveen (21), Madasamy (37), and four minors – two belonging to Class XII, and others from Classes IX and XI.

The Case

The complaint states that Hariharan alias Saravanan (27) had befriended the woman over social media, and the two had gotten into a physical relationship, which was recorded on video by the former.

Hariharan then showed the video to his three friends and gave them the woman's contact details, following which they blackmailed and raped her multiple times.

A man named Madaswamy (37), the woman's neighbour who she had approached for help against the accused, also used the video to threaten and sexually assault her.

The incident came to light after the survivor approached the women's helpline number 181.

Backlash

While AIADMK MPs staged a walkout from the ongoing Assembly session of the state on Wednesday, DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned the incident.

Taking to Twitter, she said: "Strict action must be taken irrespective of who has committed the heinous crime."

விருதுநகர் மாவட்டத்தில் 22 வயது பெண்ணை பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்கு உள்ளாக்கிய நபர்கள் கைது செய்யப்பட்டு இருப்பது ஆறுதலைத் தருகிறது. குற்றம் செய்தவர்கள் யாராக இருப்பினும் கடுமையாகத் தண்டிக்கப் படவேண்டும்.

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) March 22, 2022

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai said that he was shocked and saddened to learn about the incident.

Shocked & Saddened to learn about the gang rape of a 22 year old woman in Virudhunagar by a group of men by allegedly blackmailing her over a video.

What is more shocking is the involvement of a local DMK functionary in this shameful act with impunity

1/2

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 22, 2022

If acts like this go unpunished then India will comfortably retain the top spot for the most unsafe country for women!#PunishTheRapists #PollachiSexualAbuse

— Sibi Sathyaraj (@Sibi_Sathyaraj) March 12, 2019

Several others, including actor Sibi Sathyaraj, expressed shock over the incident.

It gives hope that The men who sexually abused a 22 year old woman in Virudhunagar district have been arrested by @Vnr_Police .The perpetrators should be severely punished no matter who they are.Hope we stop those who wants to give religion or caste colour to it . https://t.co/COrOn5NIuz

— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳✋மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) March 22, 2022

A 22-year-old Dalit woman was blackmailed, threatened & gang-raped by 8 men including two DMK leaders in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu

Have you noticed the complete silence on this by Hathras vultures?

Not a word by @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi

Outrage based on convenience ? pic.twitter.com/JZTfeWQ79w

— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) March 23, 2022

The BJP has announced a protest on 24 March in Virudhunagar district, alleging that the government is not letting the police function properly due to political reasons.