Two persons arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a 74-year-old woman were detained under the Goondas Act here on Tuesday (July 14, 2026).
The accused, Harikumar (22) and Giri (23), allegedly entered the woman’s house in Bhavani on the night of June 20 with the intention of stealing brass utensils when she was alone. When she raised an alarm, they allegedly assaulted and committed the crime before fleeing. The woman was admitted to the Government Hospital in Bhavani and later shifted to the Government Erode Medical College Hospital, Perundurai, for further treatment. She was discharged on June 30.
The Bhavani police registered a case and arrested the two accused after examining CCTV footage and collecting other evidence. They were remanded in judicial custody.
The woman died on Monday (July 13, 2026). After the post-mortem at the Government Erode Medical College Hospital, the body was handed over to her relatives. Following the woman’s death, the charges in the case are expected to be altered based on the post-mortem findings, police said.
On the recommendation of Superintendent of Police D.V. Kiran Shruthi, District Collector S. Kandasamy ordered the detention of the accused under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1982 (Goondas Act). Police said the detention was ordered considering their alleged involvement in offences affecting public order.
The two, who had been lodged in the Gobichettipalayam District Jail, were later shifted to the Coimbatore Central Prison under police escort.
Published - July 15, 2026 07:05 pm IST