The Tamil Nadu government on Monday transferred police officials who had handled the Pollachi sexual harassment case, including a Superintendent who revealed the identity of the woman victim.
According to a Home Department order, Coimbatore SP R. Pandiarajan and DSP, Pollachi sub-division, R. Jayaram, have been transferred with “immediate effect.” Further, A. Natesan, Inspector, Pollachi East police station, has also been transferred, it said. The order allocated no postings to them, virtually putting them in the waiting list.
Sujit Kumar IPS, Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Coimbatore City has been posted in place of Mr. Pandiarajan while KG Sivakumar, DSP, District Crime Records Bureau, Ooty, will replace Mr. Jayaram.
Eight arrested
The Pollachi sexual harassment case relates to a four-member gang allegedly trying to strip a woman inside a car near Pollachi, recording the act and blackmailing her using the visuals. The victim, who managed to free herself, later lodged a complaint with the police.
A total of eight persons have been arrested so far in connection with the case.
The government had last month transferred the investigation of the case to the CBI from the State’s CB-CID, which had earlier taken up the probe from the local police. Earlier, there was a public outrage after Mr. Pandiarajan revealed the name of the victim during a press meet, with civil society groups demanding action against him.
The case assumed political overtones since a local functionary of ruling AIADMK allegedly attacked the victim’s brother.