Chennai: In a deeply disturbing incident, a 23-year-old man raped an 80-year-old woman while she was on her evening walk in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district on Monday. The accused had been released from jail just two days earlier after being arrested in a theft case. He was allegedly under the influence of alcohol during the assault.
The elderly survivor is currently receiving medical treatment and psychological support. A senior police officer confirmed, “A case of rape has been registered. We have collected strong evidence, and the survivor is out of danger.”
When police located the accused, he resisted arrest and attacked officers with a knife, injuring two personnel. In response, the police were forced to shoot him in the leg before taking him into custody. Footage later showed the injured officers being treated.
The incident has ignited a political storm, with AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami accusing the ruling DMK of failing to maintain law and order. “No one knows where Tamil Nadu is heading under CM MK Stalin. People have no confidence in the state’s ability to curb drug abuse or protect women,” he stated.
In contrast, DMK leaders have denied any spike in crimes against women, citing the recent Anna University sexual assault case, in which the accused was given a life sentence within five months, as proof of the government’s commitment to swift justice.