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

Notably, both the Pollachi sexual assault case and the Kodanad murder case, which had occurred during the AIADMK regime, significantly affected the party’s vote bank since 2019 in consecutive elections. The impact was particularly felt in the Kongu region, which is considered to be the party’s fortress.

Pollachi case dents AIADMK's electoral gains

The Coimbatore Mahila Court on Tuesday (13th May) sentenced nine men to life imprisonment in the Pollachi sexual assault case, in which eight women were raped, videographed, and blackmailed from 2016 to 2018.

Since the incident first came to light just a few weeks before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it tarnished the image of the then-ruling AIADMK in its stronghold. This was largely due to the lack of action against the accused, some of whom allegedly had links with influential AIADMK leaders.

In 2024 LS polls too, the Pollachi sexual assault case continued to have an impact. DMK’s candidate K Eswaraswamy received 47.37 per cent of votes while AIADMK A Karthikeyan won only 24.98 per cent votes. DMK has sustained its win in the Pollachi constituency in two LS polls, after a gap of 40 years, as the Pollachi case had stirred up public sentiment in a big way.

Justice sought in Kodanad estate case

DMK leader Stalin had promised during the 2021 election campaign that the accused in the Pollachi case would face strict legal action if the DMK came to power. After the Pollachi judgment, Stalin announced that he would strive to get justice in the next high-profile case – the Kodanad estate case – in a similar manner.

The Kodanad Estate, which was known as former CM J Jayalalithaa’s summer retreat, is spread over 900 acres of land. This property was named as one of the disproportionate assets acquired by Jayalalithaa and Sasikala. In April 2017, a heavily armed gang broke into the Kodanad estate bungalow after her death, murdered the security guard, and looted all the valuables in the house.

In the wake of the murder and robbery, three deaths allegedly due to road accidents were recorded near the estate. Additionally, the suicide of an estate employee who was in-charge of the CCTV cameras has added to the intrigue surrounding the case.

Also read: Kodanad murder-heist: SIT quizzes Jayalalithaa’s disowned foster son Sudhakaran

As the case appears to be full of loopholes, Stalin has reaffirmed his commitment to ensure justice is served in the case.

Stalin in Nilgiris

Stalin, who is currently on a five-day tour of the Nilgiris region—close to Kodanad and Pollachi—declared that his government will solve the Kodanad murder and robbery case shortly. He said all those found guilty would receive appropriate punishment.

Speaking to the media, Stalin said, “It was evident to the people of Tamil Nadu why Palaniswami had met Union home minister Amit Shah. While Palaniswami claimed he had sought funds from the Centre for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) and the metro project, the people of the state were aware of the ‘lies’ behind those claims.”

He said, “I had assured the people of Tamil Nadu that the accused in the Pollachi rape case would face the harshest punishment. That promise has been fulfilled. Similarly, the accused in the Kodanad case will also be brought to justice soon.”

'What role does DMK have?' asks EPS

Reacting to Stalin’s statement on the Pollachi and Kodanad cases, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), criticised Stalin for taking undue credit, asserting that it was Palaniswami who had taken the necessary steps to ensure that justice is done in both cases.

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

In his statement, EPS asserted that it was the AIADMK government that initiated crucial investigations into the Pollachi sexual assault case and the Kodanad estate murder-robbery case. Moreover, his government had transferred the Pollachi case to the CBI.

“The arrests were made, the case handed over to the CBI, and the court delivered the verdict. What role does Stalin or the DMK government have in this?” he questioned, accusing the CM of taking undue credit.

Citing the DMK's alleged inaction and mishandling of other sensitive cases, EPS said, “If the Pollachi case had been in Stalin’s hands, imagine how it would have been handled—just look at the Anna University and Anna Nagar child sexual abuse cases!”

Further, he alleged that in the Kodanad case, it was a DMK-linked lawyer who defended the accused and even provided bail surety for them. “Why is a ruling party so closely connected to out-of-state criminals?” he asked.

Also read: Four years of DMK regime: What are Stalin's hits and misses?

EPS also criticised Stalin for labelling recent central fund releases—secured after AIADMK’s pressure—as “humbug” and a “farce.” He fired back, saying, “Calling AIADMK’s achievement a drama, when you couldn’t get anything done despite ruling the state and having 39 MPs at the Centre, is the real humbug!”

EPS also said that Stalin’s failure to deliver, combined with his refusal to accept others' success, will not be forgiven by the people in the 2026 polls.

Meanwhile, political critics say that both the Pollachi case and the Kodanad case could affect the AIADMK vote bank in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.