An 80-year-old woman was allegedly abducted, gang-raped, and robbed while on her routine evening walk near Panrutti in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district on Monday evening. The accused, identified as 25-year-old S Sundaravelu, a repeat offender recently released from jail, was arrested after attacking police officers with a knife and being shot in the leg during the arrest.
The survivor was found unconscious by passersby and is currently receiving medical and psychological care at a hospital, where she is reported to be stable. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions on women’s safety and law enforcement efficacy in the state.
Brutal Assault on an Elderly Woman Shakes Panrutti Community
The victim, who lives with her son and regularly takes morning and evening walks, was intercepted by Sundaravelu while on her usual route near a casuarina grove. Police sources revealed that the accused, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, forcibly took her to a secluded spot where he gagged and sexually assaulted her.
In addition to the assault, he robbed her of gold jewellery weighing approximately eight grams, including earrings and a nose ring. Local residents discovered the woman unconscious and immediately alerted her family, who rushed her to the district hospital in Chidambaram.
“We have registered a case of rape and robbery. The survivor is currently stable and receiving both medical and psychological support,” said Cuddalore Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar. The community remains deeply disturbed by the incident, with many expressing fear and demanding stronger safety measures for vulnerable groups, especially the elderly.
Police Response and Political Repercussions
Following the incident, the Panrutti police swiftly formed four special teams to track down the suspect. Utilizing CCTV footage and local intelligence, they located Sundaravelu hiding in a cashew nut grove near a defunct distillery. When police attempted to arrest him, he resisted violently, attacking officers with a knife and injuring two constables.
To subdue him, officers were forced to shoot him in the leg. Both the accused and the injured officers are currently under medical care. Sundaravelu is known to have a criminal history and was released from prison just two days prior, raising concerns about the monitoring and rehabilitation of repeat offenders. Politically, the case has ignited sharp criticism from opposition parties.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the ruling DMK government, accusing it of failing to curb crimes against women and calling for stricter enforcement against drug abuse and repeat criminals.
The DMK, in response, defended its record, highlighting improved reporting mechanisms and swift convictions in sexual assault cases, while noting Tamil Nadu’s comparatively low crime rates against women nationally, as stated by State Police Chief Shankar Jiwal.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This horrific incident is a painful reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by our elders and women in public spaces. While the police’s prompt action and arrest are commendable, the root causes—such as inadequate rehabilitation of offenders, insufficient community safety measures, and social stigma surrounding sexual violence—must be urgently addressed.
The Logical Indian firmly believes that true safety arises from empathy, community vigilance, and systemic reforms that prioritise prevention alongside justice. It is imperative to create environments where survivors feel supported and offenders are effectively deterred and rehabilitated.
