TIRUVANNAMALAI: In a shocking case that has sparked outrage across Tamil Nadu, two police constables have been arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old girl in front of her elder sister while on duty. The incident took place near Tiruvannamalai town on Monday night.
The arrested officers have been identified as Suresh Raj and Sundar, both constables posted at the Tiruvannamalai (East) police station. The two sisters had traveled from their native Andhra Pradesh in a minivan to sell bananas at a market in the temple town.
According to the police report, the constables stopped the minivan around midnight on Monday for a routine vehicle inspection on the Enthal bypass road. They forced the two sisters to get out of the vehicle and then took them to a secluded grove nearby. There, they allegedly sexually assaulted the younger sibling in front of her terrified elder sister.
The accused abandoned the traumatized siblings on the roadside at around 4 a.m. on Tuesday. They were later discovered by workers from a nearby brick kiln unit, who immediately alerted an ambulance. The sisters were rushed to the Tiruvannamalai Government General Hospital, where doctors confirmed the sexual assault and informed the police.
Based on the survivor’s statement, a case was registered at the District All Women Police Station, and constables Suresh Raj and Sundar were promptly arrested and placed under suspension. Senior officials have confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway to ensure strict legal action is taken.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation, particularly as the alleged perpetrators were law enforcement officers tasked with protecting citizens. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) fiercely criticized the ruling DMK government, calling the incident “the horrific pinnacle of women’s insecurity.”
In a post on X, EPS stated, “The DMK government of this puppet Chief Minister must hang its head in shame for this disgraceful situation,” adding that the state had reached a point where women “must protect themselves from the very police department that is supposed to be their shield.” He demanded proper medical care for the survivor and the most stringent punishment for the accused.
