After Pollachi, another sexual abuse scandal rocks Tamil Nadu

After the notorious Pollachi sexual abuse case, Tamil Nadu is grappling with another shocking allegation — this time in Arakkonam, about 80 km from Chennai. A young woman has accused her husband, a DMK Youth Wing functionary, of sexually exploiting her and at least 20 other women over the past few months.

Urging Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to act on the complaint, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has declared that his party leaders will protest in support of the victim on May 21 in Arakkonam.

Alleged delay in lodging FIR

Though EPS claimed that Arakkonam police delayed filing the case against the DMK functionary named Deivaseyal, police authorities responded, saying that timely intervention was made in the case. Police said three teams have been formed to nab Deivaseyal, who has been absconding for the last one week.

The Pollachi sexual assault case refers to a series of rapes and extortions of numerous women by a gang in Pollachi, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. The gang would lure women into isolated places after befriending them on social media, sexually assault them, and film the act. Some of the young men convicted in the case had links with senior AIADMK politicians.

Also Read: After Pollachi verdict, Stalin vows justice in Kodanad heist and murder case

EPS announces protest

In the Arakkonam case, the young woman has alleged that a DMK functionary, for sexual favours, threatened many women.

Palaniswami announced that the party would stage a protest in Arakkonam on May 21 to condemn the police department for failing to file an FIR on time and trying to protect the accused. In his X post, EPS alleged that the police filed the complaint only after AIADMK MLA S. Ravi intervened and sought details from the Arakkonam police.

“The news that a DMK Youth Wing functionary named Deivaseyal in Arakkonam, Ranipet district, allegedly deceived a college student and attempted to use her as bait for other DMK ‘sirs’ is shocking. In this case, the police of the ‘Stalin model’ government delayed filing an FIR and only did so after the student lodged a complaint with Mr. S. Ravi, the MLA of Arakkonam constituency. The student has stated that, just like her, ‘20 women aged 20’ have fallen prey to Deivaseyal’s cruel grip,” said EPS in his post.

He also questioned Stalin why he did not react to the Arakkonam case but kept talking about the Pollachi case on several stages. EPS also announced that AIADMK would launch massive protests to get justice for the victims.

Also Read: Pollachi sexual abuse case: ‘275 survivors, 1,100 videos’ a myth, says CBI

The victim’s complaint

According to the complaint filed by the victim, Deivaseyal allegedly abused her and several other young women and threatened them that police would not take action because of his links with politicians.

“Deivaseyal kidnapped me and forcefully married me. When I went to Kattupakkam College to write an exam on January 31, Deivaseyal and his associates forcibly dragged me into a car, physically assaulted me, and threatened me,” she said in the complaint. She also alleged that police had refused to register an FIR when she wanted to file the complaint against Deivaseyal.

Also Read: Pollachi sexual assault case verdict triggers political war of words in TN

Questions on abduction claim

When The Federal spoke to the Arakkonam police, they said that the abduction claims made by the victim have not been substantiated.

“The woman had earlier come to Panapakkam police station claiming issues with her husband Deivaseyal. We counselled them. They agreed to live together. But within a few days, she came to our station with a revised version of events. We filed the FIR without any delay,” said the officer in the All Women Police Station in Arakkonam.

Also Read: Pollachi sexual abuse case: Mahila court convicts all 9 accused, awards life term

The officer said the victim did not share details related to the 20 other women whom she mentioned as abused by Deivaseyal. “We are ready to provide safety and protection to victims. But we did not get any details from her. If she cooperates, we can help them. We have taken steps, but no other woman has so far raised such a complaint against the accused Deivaseyal,” said the officer.

Update: Late on Tuesday, the DMK dismissed Deivaseyal from the party.