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A college student was abducted and gang-raped near Coimbatore Airport, triggering outrage across Tamil Nadu. As police hunt for three absconding suspects, political blame intensifies over women’s safety in the state.
Police have formed seven special teams to nab the accused men
Coimbatore: A shocking incident has shocked Coimbatore after a college student was allegedly gang-raped by three men near the Airport area on Sunday night. The accused, who remain absconding, reportedly attacked the victim’s male friend before abducting her and fleeing the scene.
According to police, the incident took place when the young woman and her friend were sitting inside a car parked in a secluded stretch behind the airport. The three men approached them, overpowered the friend, and forcibly took the woman away.
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The woman’s friend immediately alerted the police, prompting a large-scale search operation. The victim was later found unconscious and in distress in a deserted area nearby. She was rushed to a hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had allegedly stolen a motorbike earlier on Sunday, which they used to approach the crime scene. Police suspect that the men may have been monitoring the area before targeting the victim.
Coimbatore police have formed seven special investigation teams to trace and arrest the suspects. CCTV footage from the surrounding areas is being analysed, and nearby residents are being questioned.
A senior police officer confirmed that the case has been registered under Section 376D (gang rape) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act. “We are pursuing all leads and expect to make arrests soon,” the officer said.
The news of a college student being sexually assaulted by three miscreants near Coimbatore International Airport last night, while she was speaking with her friend, is deeply shocking and heartbreaking. I pray for her speedy recovery and strength as she undergoes treatment.…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) November 3, 2025
The brutal crime has sparked political outrage across Tamil Nadu. Former BJP state president K. Annamalai criticised the ruling DMK government, alleging its “failure to protect women.”
In a post on X, Annamalai wrote that the assault was “deeply shocking” and symptomatic of “rising lawlessness” under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s administration. “Anti-social elements have absolutely no fear of the law. The Chief Minister should hang his head in shame,” he said.
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Annamalai also claimed there was a “tendency to protect sexual offenders” within the system and accused the government of misusing police resources to target critics instead of ensuring safety.
This latest incident follows a February case where seven college students were arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old minor in Coimbatore’s Kuniyamuthur area. The repeated assaults have heightened public concern over women’s safety in the state.
