Woman cop allegedly assaulted by DMK ally leader inside station
What's the story
A female sub-inspector in Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, was allegedly assaulted inside the Somanathapuram police station near Karaikudi on Thursday.
The alleged incident took place when Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) party leader Ilaya Gowthaman and around nine others visited the station to file a complaint, according to India Today.
A heated argument allegedly broke out between the sub-inspector, identified as Pranitha, and Gowthaman's group during which she was reportedly assaulted and threatened to be stripped naked.
Eyewitness account
Victim's mother recounts alleged assault
Narrating the ordeal, Pranitha's mother alleged that the men barged into the station, threatening to tear off her clothes and remove her star badge.
They pulled Pranitha's uniform, scratched her hands and tortured her, she said.
"This happened inside the police station. She could not breathe, so we gave her hot water and admitted her to the government hospital," she was quoted as saying.
Official statement
Police deny physical assault allegations
Contradicting these allegations, Sivaganga police have denied any physical attack took place.
Police officials said there might have been a small altercation but no physical assault happened.
However, visuals have emerged showing Pranitha with visible injuries on a hospital bed.
This raised questions about the official version of events and led to a political backlash against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government.
Political backlash
AIADMK chief condemns ruling government
AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami termed the incident "deeply shocking" in a post on X and slammed the "Stalin model" governance.
He alleged that law and order had collapsed in Tamil Nadu.
He further accused the DMK government of failing to protect citizens, saying, "Children are not safe in schools! Women are not safe in public places! Elderly women are not safe in their own homes!"