Three men were arrested early November 4, 2025, for the alleged abduction and gang rape of a 20-year-old postgraduate college student near Coimbatore International Airport on the night of November 2. The alleged incident occurred when the student was sitting in a car with her male friend, who was attacked by the suspects before the woman was forcibly taken to a secluded location and sexually assaulted.
The suspects were shot in the legs by police during their arrest after violently attacking officers while trying to flee. The victim and her friend are receiving medical care. The Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Saravana Sundar confirmed the arrests and the ongoing investigation.
Incident background and manhunt
The victim and her male friend were in a parked car near Brindhavan Nagar behind the airport at about 11 PM when three men on a moped allegedly approached, smashed the car’s window, and attacked the friend with weapons.
The men allegedly abducted the woman and took her to a deserted area about a kilometre away, where they gang-raped her. The friend sustained injuries and alerted the police who launched a massive search operation.
The victim was found unconscious and without clothes in the isolated location by early morning. Police formed seven special teams dedicated to tracing and apprehending the accused, who were found hiding near Coimbatore and have prior criminal records including previous rape charges.
Details of arrest and official reactions
The three accused, Guna (also called Thavasi), Karuppasamy (also Satish), and Karthik (alias Kaleeswaran), attacked police officers with sickles when surrounded near Vellakinaru, forcing the police to shoot them in the legs to stop their escape. A head constable was injured during the encounter and hospitalized along with the accused.
The trio worked in construction and hail from Sivaganga district. The incident triggered strong political condemnation, with BJP leaders accusing the DMK government in Tamil Nadu of failing in ensuring law and order and protecting women. AIADMK leaders also criticised the ruling party’s governance regarding women’s safety. The police are actively investigating the case further.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This despicable crime near a major airport in a supposedly secure area highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures for women across all public spaces.
Beyond arrests and legal actions, it is essential to address the root causes of such violence through comprehensive community education, strengthening law enforcement accountability, and fostering a society that condemns and actively prevents sexual crimes.
