JUST SPAMMING: Verdict Sparks Credit Scramble

The AIADMK, in power in 2019 when the Pollachi gang’s crimes surfaced, claimed the verdict stemmed from their decision to hand the case to the CBI. They overlooked that the assaults occurred from 2016-2018 under their rule.

The six-year trial culminated in convictions, with some receiving multiple life sentences, meaning jail until death—a shift from earlier norms where life convicts were freed after about 14 years. This contrasted with the 2002 Bilkis Bano case, where convicts, briefly released in 2022, were re-incarcerated in 2024.

Skepticism surrounded the case due to the accused’s political connections. The AIADMK, pressured by opposition, women’s groups, and activists, reluctantly handed the case to the CBI, which exposed the gang’s crimes. Initially, the government hesitated to file an FIR, even charging the whistleblower—a victim’s brother—who uncovered the gang’s videos.

The brother, enraged by his sister’s molestation and blackmail, seized the perpetrators’ phones, discovering videos of over 200 women being assaulted. He copied the evidence before police, who delayed action, charged him with assault. Only after the videos leaked publicly, amplified by Nakkeeran magazine, did the AIADMK act. The DMK’s protests, noting an AIADMK leader’s son and two party functionaries among the accused, forced arrests. The “son” was excluded from the chargesheet.

The trial restored faith in justice, with eight survivors’ testimonies securing convictions and compensation. Though over 200 victims were indicated, only these eight testified, earning them sole credit for the verdict, not political parties. With State Assembly elections nearing, parties vie for credit or deny others’ claims. Yet, with only eight of over 200 victims testifying, the full story and key players remain unclear, undermining any party’s claim to the verdict.