Tamil Nadu: Eight Men Including Two DMK Functionaries Rape, Videograph & Threaten A Dalit Woman. Arrested

The eight men including DMK members and four minors were arrested on Monday.

The accused Hariharan, Junaith Ahamed, Praveen and Madasamy | Credit: ABP Nadu

Chennai: A 22-year-old Dalit woman was reportedly gang-raped by eight men including two DMK functionaries and four minors in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. The issue came to light after police arrested the eight persons based on the complaint given by the survivor on Monday.

The police arrested eight persons including Hariharan, Junaith Ahamed, Praveen, Madasamy and four minor boys studying in Classes 10-12, The Federal reported.

It all started a couple of months ago when DMK functionary Hariharan befriended a 22-year-old Dalit woman in Virudhunagar. Later, Hariharan took the woman to a secluded place and forced her to have sex with him. 

The man then reportedly filmed the act and sent it to his friends.

Following this, Hariharan and his friends threatened the survivor by saying they'll share the video on social media if she does not oblige to the sexual favours demanded by them.

They used the video as a ploy and started to sexually assault her multiple times over the last two months.

On Monday, based on the complaint from the woman, the police arrested the accused under charges of rape and sections of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. They produced all the eight accused including DMK functionaries Hariharan and Junaith before a magistrate. Later, the four men were sent to judicial custody while the minors were sent to correction home, the report said. 

 Further investigations are underway.