Two held in Coimbatore for abduction and assault of minor; one shot in leg during weapon recovery

The Coimbatore police on Sunday arrested two men in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl, an incident that occurred a day earlier in the city. One of the accused was shot in the leg during the investigation after he allegedly attacked a woman police officer with a sickle.

The arrested have been identified as Santhosh, 24, of Mettur near Vellalore, and Thavasi, 28, of Kanjikonampalayam. Both are daily wage workers. According to the police, the two abducted the girl on a two-wheeler on Saturday evening and took her to Thavasi's house at Kanjikonampalayam, where she was sexually assaulted. She was later released.

The girl returned home and, along with her parents, lodged a complaint at the All Women Police Station, Coimbatore South, around 7.30 p.m. She was provided counselling and taken to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for a medical examination.

A case was registered under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and an investigation was launched. The two were apprehended on Sunday after the police analysed surveillance camera footage and other evidence.

During interrogation, Thavasi told the police that a sickle allegedly used to threaten the girl had been hidden at a graveyard in the locality. A police team led by Inspector I. Sornavalli took him to the spot to recover the weapon. The police said the accused retrieved the sickle and attacked the Inspector, injuring her on the shoulder.

Thavasi then attempted to escape and tried to assault the Inspector further, following which Sub-Inspector Silambarasan shot him in the leg with a service pistol. The accused was rushed to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment. Inspector Sornavalli, who was also hospitalised, is recovering.