Updated on: Nov 03, 2025 | Chennai

In a scathing rebuke to the Tamil Nadu government, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo on Monday condemned the alleged gang rape of a 20-year-old college student in Coimbatore, calling it a “complete failure” of the state to ensure women’s safety. Expressing anguish over the incident, Kanoongo invoked the memory of the 2012 Nirbhaya case, questioning how many more such tragedies it would take for authorities to act decisively on women’s protection.

‘A Complete Failure of Governance’

Describing the crime as “heartbreaking” and “deeply distressing,” Kanoongo said the incident shows how systemic apathy continues to endanger women despite stricter laws and repeated promises of reform.

“The Coimbatore incident is heartbreaking. A 20-year-old college student was with her friend. She was gang-raped. This reminds us of the circumstances under which the entire country stood with Nirbhaya of Delhi and fought for justice,” Kanoongo told news agency ANI.

He added,

“Yet, the Tamil Nadu government has failed to provide security to a girl student. This is the government’s direct responsibility. How many more Nirbhayas will it take for governments to understand that the safety of daughters is a top priority?”

Kanoongo’s comments come amid mounting outrage across Tamil Nadu, where activists and citizens have demanded swift justice and accountability from law enforcement.

The Coimbatore Crime

According to police, the 20-year-old survivor, a college student, was with her male friend in a car near Coimbatore airport late on Sunday night when the horrific assault occurred.

Around 11 p.m., three men allegedly broke the car window, attacked her friend, and forcibly abducted the woman. The accused then took her to a secluded location nearby, where they sexually assaulted her, police said.

The survivor was found and rescued early the next morning. She is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital, while her friend, who sustained injuries during the assault, is being treated at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

Coimbatore police confirmed that seven special teams have been formed to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The survivor was rescued this morning and is under treatment. We are using all technical inputs available and have deployed special teams for a coordinated search,” a senior officer said.

Echoes of the Nirbhaya Case

The Coimbatore case has reignited memories of the 2012 Delhi gang rape, which shocked the nation and led to sweeping reforms in India’s sexual assault laws. The “Nirbhaya” incident prompted widespread protests and led to the establishment of fast-track courts, stricter penalties, and new sections in the Indian Penal Code for sexual crimes.

However, over a decade later, women’s rights activists argue that little has changed on the ground. Many say that state governments, including Tamil Nadu, have failed to implement preventive safety measures, strengthen policing, or provide victims with quick access to justice and psychological support.

Public Outrage and Calls for Action

The latest assault has sparked widespread anger across Tamil Nadu and beyond. Students, women’s groups, and civil society organizations have planned protests demanding stricter policing, better surveillance near public spaces, and stronger action against sexual offenders.

Opposition parties in the state have also criticized the ruling government for its handling of women’s safety issues. Leaders have called for the resignation of senior police officials in Coimbatore and urged Chief Minister M. K. Stalin to ensure that the case is tried in a fast-track court.

Women’s rights advocates have also demanded comprehensive victim support — including counseling, legal aid, and financial assistance — and stressed that systemic negligence must be addressed, not just individual crimes.

NHRC’s Stand

The NHRC, which is empowered to intervene in cases involving human rights violations, is expected to seek a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government on the Coimbatore case. Sources said the commission could also recommend reforms to improve women’s safety in the state, including enhanced monitoring of high-risk zones and better night patrols near airports, highways, and educational hubs.

Kanoongo emphasized that justice must be swift and exemplary.

“This incident is not just about one survivor. It is about the collective failure of systems meant to protect women. If lessons from Nirbhaya are forgotten, we are doomed to repeat history,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation continues, the Coimbatore gang rape case stands as another grim reminder of the persistent threat women face across India, even in urban and well-policed areas. The NHRC’s intervention signals growing national concern over Tamil Nadu’s record on women’s safety — and a renewed call for accountability at every level of governance.

With the accused still on the run and public anger mounting, the focus now rests on whether Tamil Nadu’s government and police can deliver justice swiftly — or if this case, like many before it, will fade into yet another chapter of unfulfilled promises.