Chennai: Teen waiting for bus abducted, sexually assaulted inside auto-rickshaw
What's the story
An 18-year-old girl from Assam was abducted and sexually assaulted late Monday night near the Kilambakkam bus terminus in Chennai.
The teenager had come from Salem and was waiting for a bus to Madhavaram when an auto-rickshaw driver offered her a ride.
Despite her initial refusal, the driver forcibly dragged her into the vehicle and drove off.
Assault details
Assaulted at knifepoint, victim thrown out of moving vehicle
Two accomplices joined the driver in the moving auto-rickshaw and went on to sexually assault the girl at knifepoint.
Her screams for help alerted nearby passersby who promptly informed the police.
As the three men saw police trailing them, they pushed the girl out at Nerkundram and fled from the scene.
Investigation update
Police launch investigation, suspects still at large
A police officer who was in the vicinity helped the victim until more officers arrived.
The Tambaram city police have registered a case on the basis of her statement and special teams are now working to nab the suspects.
Authorities are also scanning CCTV footage in a bid to identify the culprits, who are still at large.
Political response
Tamil Nadu BJP chief criticizes state's crime handling
This incident comes just a month after another sexual assault case at Anna University.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai had slammed the state's handling of such crimes, saying "sexual assault across TN has become a horrifying reality."
He had also raised concerns over the decline in drug-related arrests despite an apparent increase in drug availability in Tamil Nadu.