A 16-year-old girl was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by a 43-year-old car driver in Trichy on Wednesday evening. The incident took place when the girl had gone to meet her transgender sibling in Kalmanthai Colony. The accused, identified as S. Mariselvan, a car driver from Thirupuvanam in Sivaganga district, had earlier dropped off a trans woman named Bhakya at the same location.
Sequence of Events
Around 5 pm on Wednesday, Mariselvan took the girl for a ride in his car. He allegedly offered her a juice laced with a sedative, causing her to lose consciousness. He then sexually assaulted her and abandoned her unconscious on the roadside near Keeraikadai Bazaar around 6:30 pm. The victim's sister, upon learning of her location, rushed to the spot, rescued her, and admitted her to Trichy Government Hospital for treatment.
Family's Retaliation
Upon discovering the assault, the girl's brother and his friends confronted Mariselvan at Kalmanthai Colony and beat him. The accused sustained injuries and was subsequently admitted to Trichy Government Hospital. Family members, relatives, and members of the public later gathered near the hospital, protesting and demanding strict legal action against the perpetrator.
Legal Action
A complaint was filed by the victim's sister at the Fort All Women Police Station. The police have registered a case under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 3 read with 4 and 5(i) read with 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police Clarification
Trichy City Police issued a rebuttal on Thursday, clarifying that only Mariselvan was involved in the assault, contrary to some news reports claiming a gang rape. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have assured that the accused will face the full force of the law.
