The National Commission for Women (NCW) has, on 21 May, taken suo motu cognisance of a disturbing case involving alleged sexual harassment and exploitation of young women by DMK youth wing functionary Deivaseyal in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. The complaint, filed by Deivaseyal’s wife, accuses him of torture, coercion, and forcing women to sleep with politicians. In a letter addressed to Tamil Nadu DGP Shankar Jiwal, the NCW has urged a swift, impartial, and transparent investigation. The survivor, who has submitted details and evidence to the authorities, says she is losing confidence and feels pressured and distressed for making the matter public.
The case stems from the wife’s allegations that Deivaseyal subjected her to torture and sexual harassment, while also coercing other young women into sleeping with politicians. Shockingly, she claimed that the complaints and evidence she provided were handed over to the very individuals she had named, compromising the investigation.
In a heart-wrenching video shared online, she accused the police of treating her like a criminal, while the accused continued to roam free without accountability. It was only after she personally petitioned the DGP that an FIR was finally registered, raising serious concerns about the initial handling of the case by the local authorities.
போலீஸுக்கு ஆதாரங்கள் கொடுத்தா
அதை திமுக ஐடிவிங்க்கு கொடுக்கறாங்க போலீஸ்
திமுக நிர்வாகி தெய்வச்செயல் மேல் இனி எந்த பெண்ணாவது வழக்கு கொடுக்க முன்வருவாங்களா???pic.twitter.com/uXf2Lb0XRj
— KNR Sivaraj (@knrsivaraj80) May 20, 2025
Earlier, the victim also accused the DMK IT Wing of breaching her privacy by publicly sharing her personal photographs and copies of her statements on social media. Despite lodging a complaint at the Tamil Nadu DGP’s office three days earlier, the registration of an FIR was delayed, and no action had been taken. Instead, she claimed that police officials were pressuring her to provide the names of 20 other alleged victims, rather than focusing on arresting the accused.
“He tortured me, indulged in perverted sexual activities. When I resisted, he hit me and bit me all over my body like a mad dog. This was a daily routine.”
பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண் அளித்த பேட்டியின் அடிப்படையில் எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் இந்த கேடுகெட்ட அரசை கண்டிக்கிறார்…
ஆனால் திமுக கொத்தடிமைகள் ஸ்டாலின் போலீஸ் சொன்ன கதையைக் கொண்டு வந்து எல்லோருக்கும் பாடம் எடுக்க பார்க்கிறார்கள்…
அவர்கள் வீட்டில் நடந்தாலும் ஸ்டாலினுக்கு சப்போர்ட் தான்… pic.twitter.com/cecsLxrDtR
— ShivaAnand (@DrShivaAnand) May 19, 2025
She further said, “He assaulted me on the way to college, injured me, and broke my phone. He used to say, ‘If you complain, nothing will happen; the police will support me.’ Because of him, I tried to take poison. When I complained, he threatened to cut me into pieces. He tortured me in the car and forced me to sleep with men he pointed out. I can’t even leave my house. I couldn’t take my exams.”
According to her complaint dated May 7, Deivaseyal did not disclose his first marriage and forced her into marriage by threatening her and her family. She said the relationship began under the guise of love but turned abusive, with repeated threats to coerce her into having sex with other party functionaries.
Film actor and social media activist Kasturi posted on X saying, “Horrendous. What is the nexus between the DMK IT Wing and TN Police? CM Stalin is the Home Minister in charge of law & order, police, and women’s safety. Is this how an ‘Appa’ protects a daughter? By throwing her to the vultures?”
Horrendous. What is the nexus between DMK IT wing and TN Police?
CM Stalin is the home minister-in charge of law &order, police and women’s safety. Is this how an ‘Appa’ protects a daughter? By throwing her to the vultures?#arakkonam #DMKFailspic.twitter.com/iQnbMtybi7— Kasturi (@KasthuriShankar) May 20, 2025
Former Telangana Governor and senior BJP leader Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan told the media, “The accused was removed from his post only after pressure from most political parties. This case has been dragging since the 9th of last month. I want to ask the Tamil Nadu government—this girl, who married a DMK functionary and faced sexual harassment, is demanding justice, but she has not received any. Whatever she told the police is being leaked. What is happening in Tamil Nadu?”
On May 21, 2025, the NCW issued a formal communication to the Director General of Police (DGP), Tamil Nadu, urging a swift, fair, and transparent investigation. A post on X read:
“NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of a disturbing media report titled ‘DMK leader’s wife alleges he forced girls to ‘sleep with politicians’’, involving serious allegations of sexual harassment and coercion by a DMK youth wing office-bearer. In light of the grave nature of the accusations and the political affiliations of the accused, the Hon’ble Chairperson has written to the DGP of Tamil Nadu urging an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation. The letter emphasises the need to ensure the survivor’s safety, constitute an independent investigation team, prevent any political interference, and take prompt action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The Commission has also sought a detailed Action Taken Report along with a copy of the FIR within three days.”
NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of a disturbing media report titled “DMK leader’s wife alleges he forced girls to ‘sleep with politicians’”, involving serious allegations of sexual harassment and coercion by a DMK youth wing office bearer. In light of the grave nature of the…
— NCW (@NCWIndia) May 21, 2025
The victim earlier told the media: “Given everything that has happened, I no longer have the confidence to speak to the media. I fear I might commit suicide. I initially reached out to the media because I felt that if I were to lose my life, at least my story would be heard. However, they are portraying Deivaseyal as a good man, and still, no FIR has been filed. What did CID Officer Srinath say at the DGP office? He told me, ‘Go home confidently; an FIR will be filed with your petition.’ But I no longer have the confidence I once had. After giving my statement, I found that I disagreed with how they approached my case. They took a written statement from me saying I shouldn’t disclose what I said. I do not agree with that. It’s been three days since my complaint was filed on Saturday, and no action has been taken so far. He married me under false pretences. I boldly came forward to say he cheated and manipulated me. Instead of addressing my concerns, they are asking me for the names and locations of 20 other women.”
The Tamil Nadu BJP termed the NCW’s action against the DMK functionary as “much delayed”.
திமுக நிர்வாகி மீதான பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை வழக்கை தாமாக முன்வந்து தேசிய மகளிர் ஆணையம் விசாரணைக்கு எடுத்துள்ளது..! pic.twitter.com/tx1pvJqhg8
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) May 21, 2025
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, in a statement, said:
“The police refused to act on the woman’s complaint until AIADMK’s S Ravi, the local MLA, raised his voice on her behalf. The victim clearly mentioned that Deivaseyal named Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi’s PA Uma Maheswaram and wanted her to sleep with him.”
ராணிப்பேட்டை மாவட்டம் அரக்கோணத்தில் திமுக இளைஞரணி நிர்வாகி தெய்வச்செயல் என்பவன் கல்லூரி மாணவியை ஏமாற்றி பிற திமுக "சார்"களுக்கு இரையாக்க முயற்சித்ததாக வரும் செய்தி அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.
இந்த வழக்கில் FIR பதிய அலைக்கழித்த ஸ்டாலின் மாடல் அரசின் காவல்துறை, அரக்கோணம் தொகுதி கழக…
— Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) May 19, 2025
He further said: “The difference between the Arakkonam and Pollachi cases is that I transferred the Pollachi case to the CBI, which resulted in life imprisonment for all the accused. But in the Arakkonam case, the DMK tried to protect its members by not registering a case and not helping the victim secure justice. If no action is taken on her case, we will launch massive protests with public support.”
Critics argue that the state of law and order, particularly regarding women’s safety under DMK rule, has been alarming. They say this case exposes the grim reality—where a DMK functionary stands accused of exploiting women and allegedly coercing them into sexual relationships with politicians. The allegations are not only shocking but also deeply shameful, reflecting a serious failure of governance and accountability.
