AIADMK’s ‘Sirs’ must be ashamed for shielding convicts: CM Stalin

CHENNAI: The ruling DMK, led by Chief Minister M K Stalin, went to town over the conviction of all nine persons involved in the infamous Pollachi sexual assault case. Not wanting to waste any time gaining one-upmanship over their political rival AIADMK on the issue, Chief Minister Stalin said that those who attempted to protect the AIADMK functionary among the convicts must hang their heads in shame.

In a message posted on microblogging site 'X' shortly after the pronouncement of the verdict, Stalin said, "Justice has been delivered for the atrocities committed by an evil AIADMK functionary among the criminals. Let the 'sirs' who tried to protect the den of criminals, including an AIADMK person, hang their heads in shame, if they have any dignity." Understandably, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin joined the chorus and said, "Life imprisonment has been awarded to the AIADMK functionary among the nine criminals in the spine-chilling Pollachi sexual assault case. The atrocity committed against women during the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK regime is a dark page in the history of Tamil Nadu. The DMK, the opposition party then, thwarted attempts to save the criminals, with the support of the people. It was instrumental in securing justice for the victims."

The DMK also got its senior women leader and deputy general secretary, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, to up the ante against the principal opposition party, AIADMK, vis-à-vis the Pollachi sexual assault case.

AIDWA built pressure for central probe leading to milestone verdict against gender-based violence: Shanmugam

Meanwhile, leaders of major political parties reacted to the verdict, saying in unison that the judgment is a milestone in the fight against gender-based violence.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam described the verdict as a morale boost to survivors and a victory for sustained people's movements. He recalled the strong public protests led by the CPM and women's organisations including All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) that built pressure for the CBI probe.

In a statement, Shanmugam lauded the court's conviction under gang sexual assault charges and praised the survivors' courage. He criticised the initial delays, partially caused by the involvement of political leaders, and urged the State to offer jobs to the victims or their families and protect complainants' identities in such cases.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan termed the judgment "historic, " commending the survivors' bravery and the CBI's thorough investigation, which confirmed 66 out of 76 charges. He said the verdict served as both a sword and a shield for women fighting for justice and gender equality.

Set up spl courts in all districts to avoid delays in future: Anbumani

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss welcomed the Coimbatore Special Court's decision, calling it a "fitting warning" to those involved in sexual crimes. While appreciating the efforts of the CBI, prosecutors, and witnesses who remained steadfast, he lamented the delayed justice, with the trial beginning only four years after the first complaint was registered in 2019. He criticised the lack of adequate special courts for Women and demanded that every district have at least one.

Anbumani also said the Rs 85 lakh compensation ordered for the eight victims was insufficient, urging the government to provide Rs 1 crore each and ensure institutional support for long-term rehabilitation.