Coimbatore Student Abducted and Assaulted Near Airport; Police Launch Massive Hunt
A 20-year-old postgraduate student from a private college in Coimbatore was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men near the Coimbatore International Airport late Sunday night. Her boyfriend, aged 23, was brutally beaten and left unconscious before the attackers fled with the young woman.
According to police officials, the couple had left her college hostel around 4:30 p.m. for an evening outing. After having dinner, they drove towards a quiet stretch near the airport to spend some time together. Around 11 p.m., three unidentified men reportedly approached the parked car on a two-wheeler that had been stolen earlier in the evening from Kovilpalayam.
The attackers hurled a stone at the car’s windshield, shattering the glass. They then dragged the man out of the vehicle and began assaulting him with sticks and stones. The victim sustained deep head injuries, requiring nearly 28 stitches, and was left bleeding and unconscious by the roadside.
Following the attack, the assailants forcibly took the young woman to a nearby location — a small shed situated about a kilometre away from the airport, close to Sitra. There, she was allegedly assaulted and later abandoned near a vacant plot around 4 a.m. Monday morning.
The injured man reportedly regained consciousness shortly after the attack. Despite his injuries, he managed to start the damaged vehicle and drive towards the main airport road to seek help. Passersby noticed his condition and alerted the police, who rushed him to a nearby private hospital for emergency treatment.
Upon receiving the report, multiple police teams from Peelamedu and neighboring stations launched a large-scale search operation through the night. Within a few hours, officers located the traumatized survivor behind a private college near Sitra. She was immediately taken to a hospital for medical care and counseling.
Local rescue volunteer Savitri, who was among the first responders, told the media that the young woman appeared “shaken, crying, and terrified” when she was found. “She could barely speak but managed to describe what had happened,” Savitri added.
Senior police officers, forensic experts, and crime scene investigators reached the area past midnight to collect evidence. Officials recovered tyre marks, broken glass, and pieces of clothing, which have been sent for forensic analysis. However, officers admitted that poor street lighting and the absence of CCTV cameras around the airport stretch have made the investigation more challenging.
“We are examining all available footage from nearby establishments and analyzing digital evidence, including phone and movement records from the airport corridor,” a senior investigating officer said.
A case has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including kidnapping, sexual assault, and gang rape. Seven special investigation teams have been formed to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Both the survivor and her boyfriend remain under medical supervision at separate private hospitals. Doctors said her physical condition is stable, but she is under acute psychological distress. Her boyfriend is recovering after surgery and remains in a semi-conscious state.
The horrific incident has sparked widespread public outrage in Coimbatore, with local residents, college students, and women’s rights groups demanding immediate arrests and stronger safety measures. Several activists have called for improved street lighting, more surveillance cameras, and increased night patrols in isolated areas around the airport.
Coimbatore City Police Commissioner assured that strict action would be taken against the culprits. “We are treating this case with the highest priority. Patrol units have been intensified, and our special teams are following multiple leads. No one involved will be spared,” he said.
Authorities also confirmed that they are coordinating with neighboring districts and using advanced tracking systems to trace the stolen bike believed to have been used in the crime.
This tragic case adds to growing concerns over women’s safety in Tamil Nadu, following recent reports of similar attacks in other parts of the country. Citizens and advocacy groups have reiterated the need for better urban security, rapid response mechanisms, and gender sensitization at all levels of law enforcement.
As investigations continue, the city of Coimbatore remains shaken by the brutality of the crime — a grim reminder of the urgent need for vigilance, safety awareness, and swift justice for victims of violence.