Mentally ill college student ‘sexually harassed’ in Chennai, Opposition alleges police inaction

Initially registered as a Community Service Register (CSR) case, the investigation led to interrogations of the “female friend” mentioned in the complaint and several male acquaintances. Police said after they confirmed that a sexual offence had occurred, they registered a case on December 6. On December 7, two individuals — Suresh, a 20-year-old college student from Tiruvallur, and Naresh, a 19-year-old school student — were arrested.

“Since the victim in this case is mentally challenged, the investigation poses a challenge to the investigating officer. In this situation, four special teams have been formed to expedite the probe,” the police statement said.

In response to comments from Opposition leaders, police appealed to the public to refrain from raising public criticisms of the case, warning that such discussions could hinder the investigation and cause mental distress to the victim and her family.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has accused the police of delaying action and called for accountability. He announced that the BJP would submit a petition to the police chief, seeking action against the officer responsible for the alleged delay.

“The policeman asked the victim’s father to alter the complaint and warned them. It is the duty of the state to give protection to a differently-abled victim. The Chief Minister (M K Stalin) should immediately sack all those policemen. I have always supported the police, but in this case, it is unacceptable,” Annamalai said.

He also questioned CM Stalin’s silence on the issue. “Who gave powers to the police to just warn the suspects and let them go in a case of sexual assault? At a time when the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu is already worse, how could the police act like this, especially when a mentally challenged girl has been sexually assaulted?” he asked.

The AIADMK echoed similar concerns, with its chief Edappadi K Palaniswami accusing the DMK government of systemic negligence and failing to create a safe environment for women. “While the victim’s father has already reported the matter to the police station, the police of the DMK government have acted very negligently as usual and they have ignored the complainants,” Palaniswami said in a statement.