In a deeply troubling incident that has shaken the community of Tamil Nadu, three government higher secondary school teachers have been arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 13-year-old girl and causing her pregnancy. The case has sparked intense outrage and raised serious questions regarding the safety of female students in educational institutions across the state.
The accused teachers, identified as Arumugam (48), Chinnaswamy (57), and Prakash (37), were apprehended after the girl’s parents lodged formal complaints following a series of protests. According to reports, the girl, who was a student in the eighth grade at a school in Pochampalli, Krishnagiri district, was sexually assaulted after one teacher initially preyed on her. This led two other teachers to join in the horrific act, leaving the child traumatized and pregnant.
The situation came to light when the headmistress of the school visited the girl’s home to inquire about her prolonged absence. Upon learning of the abuse, she immediately reported the incident to the District Child Line, initiating a swift investigation by the District Child Welfare Committee. Authorities took prompt action, alerting the police, who arrested the accused teachers based on the victim’s testimony.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாணவி பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை வழக்கு: “எதாவது சம்பவம் நடந்தால், அதற்கு பதில் சொல்லும் துறை என்றாகிவிட்டது பள்ளிக்கல்வித்துறை; எந்தவித பாடத்தையும் படிப்பினையையும் அதிகாரிகள் கற்றுக்கொள்வதில்லை” – குழந்தைகள் நல செயற்பாட்டாளர் தேவநேயன்#GovtTeacher | #Sexualharassment pic.twitter.com/DUNOvg9UTc
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) February 5, 2025
Upon medical examination, it was revealed that the girl underwent a medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) after the assault. However, District Collector S. Dinesh Kumar has since contested claims regarding the abortion, raising further questions about the medical care provided to the victim.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாணவி பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை வழக்கு: “எதாவது சம்பவம் நடந்தால், அதற்கு பதில் சொல்லும் துறை என்றாகிவிட்டது பள்ளிக்கல்வித்துறை; எந்தவித பாடத்தையும் படிப்பினையையும் அதிகாரிகள் கற்றுக்கொள்வதில்லை” – குழந்தைகள் நல செயற்பாட்டாளர் தேவநேயன்#GovtTeacher | #Sexualharassment pic.twitter.com/DUNOvg9UTc
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) February 5, 2025
In the wake of this incident, the District Education Department has taken action by suspending the three accused teachers. However, the incident has shed light on a broader issue of safety for girls in Tamil Nadu. The state has seen a disturbing trend of violence against women and girls, particularly involving educators and individuals in positions of authority.
Former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami demanded accountability from the current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, highlighting that government schools and colleges appear unsafe for female students. With recent cases of sexual assaults in the state, including an incident at Anna University, Palaniswami emphasized the urgent need for reform in the safety measures within educational institutions.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்டம் போச்சம்பள்ளியில் 13 வயது சிறுமி, அரசுப் பள்ளியில் பணிபுரியும் ஆசிரியர்கள் மூவரால் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்கு ஆளாக்கப்பட்டதாக வரும் செய்தி அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.
"அரசுப்பள்ளி மற்றும் கல்லூரிகளிலேயே பெண் பிள்ளைகளுக்கு பாதுகாப்பு இல்லை" என்று பெண் பாதுகாப்பு மீதான… pic.twitter.com/xJuG0VnQtF
— Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) February 5, 2025
The case has also drawn criticism from political leaders, including Tamil Nadu BJP Chief, K. Annamalai, who lamented the government’s failure to provide adequate awareness and protective measures for schoolchildren, especially girls. He pointed out that the Child Welfare Board responsible for addressing these issues is understaffed, hampering its effectiveness in protecting vulnerable populations.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்டம் போச்சம்பள்ளி பகுதியில், 13 வயது அரசுப் பள்ளிச் சிறுமி, பள்ளி ஆசிரியர்களால் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்கு உள்ளாக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் செய்தி மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது. ஆசிரியர்களே மாணவியைப் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்திருப்பது, ஒரு சமூகமாக, நாம் மிகப் பெருமளவில்…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 5, 2025
Annamalai noted alarming statistics indicating a rising trend in teenage pregnancies in Tamil Nadu, with the Tamil Nadu Journal of Public Health and Medical Research reporting that 14,360 children aged between 13 and 19 became pregnant in 2024—a staggering increase of approximately 35 per cent compared to 2023. He expressed grave concerns over the suffocating silence that follows such crimes, urging the government to take immediate actions to dismantle systemic failures in safeguarding children and women.
In a separate but equally alarming development, police in Assam arrested three individuals implicated in the abduction and assault of a woman in a moving auto rickshaw, based on CCTV footage. Such incidents further illustrate the persistent threat faced by women in various parts of the country.
Adding to the prevailing atmosphere of fear and insecurity, a woman Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP) recently filed a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP), alleging an assassination attempt linked to her whistleblowing on discrepancies in the Sub-Inspector recruitment process. Such hostility against women in law enforcement underscores the pervasive violence and harassment directed at women, even in the highest echelons of police work.
#BREAKING || காவல் நிலையத்தில் பெண் எஸ்.ஐ. மீது தாக்குதல் #sivagangai #police #attract #newsj pic.twitter.com/Wg06FlnIaE
— NewsJ (@NewsJTamil) February 6, 2025
in Tiruchi, Rajkani (48) working in a tea stall in Sengulam colony Housing Board hutments sexually harassed a six years old daughter of his friend twice . following complaint, police arrested him and booked him under pocso. In another incident, 55 years old Selvam, a rag picker was arrested for sexually harassing a five years old girl. Police registered an FIR invoking Pocso sections.
In a Middle school in Manamadurai where an awareness campaign was held. During the campaign eight girls aged 4,6,7 and 8 students told that when going to school and returning home, some sexually harassed them. based on their account, police arrested six persons aged between 38 962 and a search on for one more.
According to date, first principal special court in Coimbatore which tries Pocso cases, the pendency of cases has increased to 421. In 2019 , when the court was set up, there were h 120 cases pending. But in 2020 it rose 182, in 2021 (231) in 2022 (303) ,2023 (353) and 2024 (421). According to Dinamalar, in the year 2022, 231 new cases were filed while 206 cases were tried and orders given. In 2023, 163 new cases were filed while orders were given in 130 cases. During last year, while 303 new cases have been file, 234 were heard and order issued. When compared to 2023, in 2024 the number of cases have gone up. cases pending for one year is 274, for more than 2 -3years, 177 cases and 4 and 6 years, it is 52 and beyond 6 and 10 it is 10cases are pending.
