Coimbatore Student Sexual Assault: Three Accused Arrested, Shot in Legs While Fleeing

The Coimbatore City Police on Tuesday arrested three men accused of abducting and sexually assaulting a college student near the Coimbatore airport on Sunday evening.

Police Commissioner Saravana Sundar confirmed that the accused — Guna, Karuppasamy, and Karthik alias Kaleeswaran — were injured after police opened fire when they attempted to escape during their arrest in Vellakinaru, on the outskirts of the city.

“All three were trying to flee when the police had to shoot them in the legs. A head constable was also injured in the encounter,” Sundar told ANI. The injured accused have been admitted to Coimbatore Government Hospital.

According to police sources, the accused have a criminal history and were tracked down using CCTV footage. Officials said the trio attacked the police team before being shot.

The assault, which took place around 11 pm on Sunday, involved the victim and her male friend sitting inside a car near the airport when the three men allegedly broke the window, assaulted the friend, and abducted the woman. She was later rescued and is receiving treatment.

The incident has triggered outrage and a political blame game in Tamil Nadu. BJP state president K. Annamalai accused the ruling DMK government of failing to maintain law and order, alleging that “anti-social elements no longer fear the law.”

Police have formed seven special teams to investigate the case and collect further evidence.