Coimbatore gang rape: Three suspects shot, arrested after escape attempt
Coimbatore Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar said officers shot the accused in the legs as they tried escaping.
COIMBATORE: In a shocking and deeply disturbing incident, a 20-year-old college student was allegedly gang-raped near Coimbatore International Airport on the night of November 2. Police have arrested three men in connection with the case after a dramatic early-morning chase in which all three were shot in the legs while allegedly attempting to escape.
The three accused — identified as Guna alias Thavasi, Karupasamy alias Satheesh, and Kaleeswaran alias Karthik — were apprehended by a special police team from Vellakinar, near Thudiyalur, in the early hours of Tuesday (November 4, 2025). They have since been admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Coimbatore City Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar confirmed the arrests and said that the shooting occurred when the suspects tried to flee from custody. “The police team opened fire and shot them in their legs when they attempted to escape,” he said, adding that the trio were captured shortly afterward.
According to the preliminary investigation, the three accused worked as daily-wage laborers at a construction site in Irugur, located roughly four kilometres from the isolated stretch of land near the airport where the crime took place. On the night of the incident, the survivor, a college student, was reportedly visiting the area with her 25-year-old boyfriend when the accused intercepted them.
Police said the men first attacked the victim’s boyfriend, beating him severely before dragging the young woman to a nearby deserted spot. There, they allegedly took turns sexually assaulting her. The traumatized survivor later reached out for help, and her statement led to the immediate formation of multiple police teams to track down the suspects.
Commissioner Saravana Sundar said that the investigation moved quickly, with police using surveillance footage, mobile tower data, and tip-offs from local informants to zero in on the culprits. “Our priority was to ensure the victim’s safety, gather strong evidence, and apprehend those responsible without delay,” he said.
After identifying the suspects’ hideout in Vellakinar, the police surrounded the area in the early hours of Tuesday. However, when the accused attempted to run, officers fired warning shots before eventually shooting them in the legs to stop their escape. They were taken into custody immediately after and given first aid before being shifted to the hospital under tight security.
The survivor has been given medical assistance and counselling, and police officials said her statement will play a crucial role in the investigation. We are ensuring she gets all possible support,” a senior officer said.
Police sources added that the accused are habitual offenders with prior records of violent behaviour and theft. Detailed background checks are being conducted, and the trio will be produced before a magistrate once they are declared fit for interrogation.
The brutal nature of the crime has sparked widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu, with many demanding swift justice for the survivor. Women’s rights activists and student organisations have urged the government to ensure a fast-track trial.
Commissioner Sundar reiterated that the police will leave no stone unturned. “We have solid evidence and eyewitness accounts. The investigation will be watertight, and we will ensure that the culprits face the harshest punishment under the law,” he said.