Chennai: The Tamil Nadu branch of the BJP held a Maha Sandi Homam at Ayodhya Mandapam in Thyagaraya Nagar, Chennai, on Wednesday, seeking divine blessings for the success of the Indian Army’s efforts against terrorism. The party also criticized the DMK government, accusing it of taking undue credit for the verdict in the Pollachi sexual assault case.
BJP state president Nainar Nagendran, along with senior leaders Tamizhisai Soundararajan, H. Raja, and party co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy, participated in the ceremony.
Speaking to the media, Nagendran stated that the Maha Sandi Homam was performed to invoke divine blessings for Prime Minister Modi’s actions against terrorism. When questioned about the Pollachi verdict, he emphasized that the verdict was the judge’s decision and that the DMK had no role in it. “Was the judge a DMK member? Did the DMK write the verdict? The judge’s ruling is justified. The DMK has no part in it,” he asserted. He also accused the DMK of ruling the state through deception over the past four years, claiming they govern for their own benefit rather than for the public.
Earlier today, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai welcomed the verdict of the women’s court in Coimbatore, which sentenced all nine accused in the Pollachi sexual assault and gang rape case to life imprisonment. Speaking to ANI, Annadurai said, “This case was fought by many people, including the DMK. We opposed the previous AIADMK government’s attempts to hinder the investigation. They didn’t even file an FIR initially when the allegations surfaced because those involved belonged to AIADMK. After relentless protests by DMK, the case was transferred to the CBI.”
Tamil Nadu Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Minister Geetha Jeevan also welcomed the court’s decision, stating that the verdict to imprison the accused for life was a positive development. At a press briefing, she said, “Justice has been served in the Pollachi rape case, and the victims have received justice. I commend the women who fought hard to bring the culprits to justice. This verdict has boosted confidence among the public and women. I also thank the CBI and police officers for protecting the victims’ identities. This sentence will instill fear in the minds of the perpetrators and their accomplices and should help reduce sexual crimes.”
The case was tried after the Women’s Court judge, Nandhini Devi, found all nine accused guilty on Tuesday. The accused—Thirunavukkarasu, Sabarirajan, Sathish, Vasanthakumar, Manivannan, Heranpal, Babu, Arulanandam, and Arunkumar—appeared in court that morning. The 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case involved nine men who allegedly attacked a young woman, with over 50 women reportedly lured and sexually harassed by a gang of four, with the acts even videotaped. The investigation was conducted by the CBI, with the trial held in the Coimbatore Women’s Court.
The scandal drew widespread attention, with allegations that some police failed to act due to involvement of individuals from the ruling AIADMK. The court’s proceedings involved testimonies from more than 50 witnesses and presented over 240 documents, including statements from eight women who testified against the accused.