Minor girl abducted, sexually assaulted in Coimbatore; police shoot in the leg of one accused

The police on Sunday (September 13, 2026) arrested two persons, who allegedly abducted a 14-year-old girl and sexually assaulted her in a house in Coimbatore on Saturday (September 12, 2026). The police shot in the leg of one of the accused, after he allegedly attacked a woman police officer with a sickle.According to the police, Santhosh (24) of Mettur near Vellalore and Thavasi (28) of Kanjikonampalayam, both daily wage workers, abducted the minor girl on a two-wheeler on Saturday evening. They took her to Thavasi’s house at Kanjikonampalayam and sexually assaulted her, before releasing her.The girl returned to her residence and lodged a complaint at the All Women Police Station, Coimbatore South, along with her parents around 7.30 p.m. The survivor was provided counselling and she was taken to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for a medical examination.The police registered a case under different Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and launched an investigation. They apprehended Santhosh and Thavasi on Sunday, after analysing surveillance cameras visuals and other evidence. Thavasi, during interrogation, told the police that a sickle, which they allegedly used to threaten the minor girl while committing the crime, was hidden at a graveyard in the locality. A police team led by Inspector I. Sornavalli took Thavasi to the graveyard to recover the weapon. The police stated that the accused retrieved the hidden sickle and attacked the Inspector, causing her an injury on her shoulder.According to the police, Thavasi attempted to escape and tried to assault the Inspector further, following which Sub-Inspector Silambarasan shot on his leg with a service pistol. He was rushed to CMCH for treatment. Ms. Sornavalli, who was also hospitalised, is recovering. Published - September 13, 2026 10:15 pm IST