Coimbatore Police Step Up Probe into Harassment Allegations Against TVK Functionary

The Coimbatore District Police have stepped up their inquiry into a sexual harassment complaint filed by a woman functionary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam against the party's Karamadai union secretary, Karupusamy, which allegedly took place in May. Coimbatore District Superintendent of Police A. Pavan Kumar Reddy stated that investigators will examine audio tapes and video clips provided by the 29-year-old complainant as proof. The case names three individuals as accused: Karupusamy, party worker Sabitha, and her husband Pandi. The complainant, who earlier served as a panchayat secretary for the party in the Karamadai union, claims she was stripped of her post after confronting Karupusamy about the alleged harassment. She has also accused Sabitha and Pandi of harassing her on caste grounds. Legal counsel N. Panneerselvam, representing the Samooga Neethi Katchi, is assisting the complainant and criticized the police for failing to arrest the accused despite the registration of a case for serious offenses. He noted that authorities claim the suspects are untraceable and confirmed that legal help will be provided if they seek anticipatory bail. The police have declined to confirm whether the three suspects are currently hiding. In related developments, a video has emerged showing the complainant speaking about the incident to MLA N. Sunil Anand prior to the police case being filed. In the footage, the MLA tells bystanders that the matter was not significant. The woman stated in her police complaint that she had tried to report the incident to the MLA three times.

Context

Allegations of workplace or political harassment handled by law enforcement often involve complex investigations that include examining digital evidence like audio and video recordings. Police departments typically verify such materials before taking further legal action against named suspects. Public representatives and local leaders frequently find themselves drawn into community grievances before formal legal proceedings begin.