Pollachi sexual abuse case: ‘275 survivors, 1,100 videos’ a myth, says CBI
CBI officer shares that breakthrough came from recovering deleted video and audio files from the electronic devices of the accused
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has stated that the 2019 Pollachi sexual abuse case wasn’t as large-scale as made out by the media, rubbishing speculations of the number of survivors being 275 and 1,100 videos being unearthed.
The central agency has dismissed these figures as “baseless myths”. “A section of the media gave the public an idea that the crime happened on a large scale, but that is not true,” said a senior police officer.
With 67 of the 76 charges against the nine accused proven in court, the CBI’s meticulous investigation, backed by the digital evidence recovered, has delivered justice despite significant challenges, including a survivor’s sudden withdrawal from court proceedings after initially aiding the probe.
Also read: Pollachi sexual assault case verdict triggers political war of words in TN
How CBCID, CBI, judiciary collaborated to protect survivors
The probe gained traction when CBCID SP Nisha Parthiban’s team recovered critical electronic gadgets from the accused, laying a strong foundation.
The CBI, led by SP Vijay Vaishanavi and Inspector Pachiyammal, pursued the case relentlessly until the delivery of the judgment, leveraging deleted video and audio files with embedded date, time, and location details to secure convictions.
The judiciary, under Judge R Nandhini Devi, conducted the proceedings with utmost sensitivity, as noted by Special Public Prosecutor B Jisha, fostering an environment where the survivors and witnesses could testify fearlessly. This synergy ensured the survivors’ privacy and delivered justice.
CBI faces criticism and hurdles
When the CBI took over the case, it was criticized for slow progress. In January 2020, it tried to close a related case about an assault on a survivor’s brother due to lack of evidence, but a Coimbatore court rejected this and ordered further investigation. By January 2021, the CBI arrested three more suspects, taking the case to the next level.
A senior CBI officer shared that a breakthrough came from recovering deleted video and audio files from the accused’s electronic devices. The voice samples matched the accused, and the videos had the date, time, and location details embedded, which the accused thought could not be retrieved. This evidence became crucial for the investigation.
Also read: Pollachi sexual abuse case: Mahila court convicts all 9 accused, awards life term
Gaining survivor’s trust was tough
The CBI admitted that it faced difficulties in getting the survivors to come forward. Initially, no one was willing to give statements due to intense media attention, which created an unsafe environment for them. The CBI provided psychological counselling to them and ensured their daily lives were not disrupted.
“Building confidence in the victims was a big challenge, but we worked to make them feel safe,” said a CBI officer.
The agency examined 48 witnesses and 206 documents to build a strong case. The court ensured the survivors’ privacy was protected during the trial, and the CBI’s meticulous evidence collection, including scientific and emotional support for the victims, led to the convictions.
Evidence and court challenges
Gathering evidence admissible in court was daunting. A CBI officer described the emotional toll of the “horrific” crimes, emphasizing the gang’s brutal torture.
One officer shared the emotional toll, saying, “The crimes were so horrific, I couldn’t sleep. I’ve never seen such torture by a gang against women. It was deeply disturbing.”
The agency’s persistence in collecting scientific evidence and supporting survivors emotionally ensured the convictions.
Collaborating with social media platforms, the CBI removed all viral videos of the victims, safeguarding their privacy.
Also read: How the Pollachi accused brought the case upon themselves
How the abuse started
According to CBI sources, the abuse began under the guise of love proposals, friendly parties, or casual get-togethers.
The accused, a group of youths, acted with a sense of crookedness and herd mentality. They believed the victims would remain silent and not report them. However, the bravery of the survivors who came forward to file complaints changed everything.
The CBI praised the courage of the first survivor who reported the crime, saying the victory belongs to her. “No political party can claim credit for this. It’s the survivor’s strength that made the difference,” a CBI official said.
