Tiruvannamalai police have arrested another suspect in connection with the assault and robbery case involving a young woman near the Girivalam Path during the Vaikasi Pournami festival.
The latest arrest was made on Thursday when police arrested S. Arun Pandian from Tiruvannamalai. Authorities said he was allegedly part of the group involved in the crime. With this arrest, the total number of accused taken into custody has increased, while efforts continue to trace the remaining suspects.
The police crackdown follows two serious crimes reported during the Vaikasi Pournami festival, a period when hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered in Tiruvannamalai for the 14-kilometre Girivalam pilgrimage between May 30 and May 31.
According to police investigations, the first incident occurred on the night of May 30 involving a married woman from Dharmapuri district who had completed the Girivalam walk with a group of friends. While returning home, she and one of her companions reportedly stopped near the Periya Kolappadi area.
Police said they were allegedly intercepted by an armed group and taken into a nearby forested area. The woman was reportedly assaulted, while valuables, including a gold chain, were stolen. Authorities also stated that the accused allegedly recorded inappropriate videos of the victims before fleeing the scene.
Investigators said the accused allegedly threatened the woman, robbed her gold earrings and took her to a secluded area before escaping from that place. Reports also suggest that an obscene video was allegedly recorded during the incident.
Following a complaint lodged by the survivor and her family, the Tiruvannamalai West Police registered a case and launched an investigation.
Superintendent of Police M. Sudhakar personally inspected the location and formed special teams under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajan to track down the suspects. Police also examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas as part of the investigation.
Earlier, eight suspects, including a juvenile, were arrested. The main accused was identified as K. Vasudevan, 28, a resident of Adaiyur village near Tiruvannamalai. Police said Vasudevan has a criminal history and is allegedly involved in several previous cases, including theft and chain-snatching offences registered in and around the district.
புனித பூமியான திருவண்ணாமலையில் பெண்ணுக்கு எதிராக அரங்கேறிய கொடூரம்: பெண்களின் பாதுகாப்பைக் காற்றில் பறக்கவிட்ட தவெக அரசுக்குக் கண்டனம்!
திருவண்ணாமலை கிரிவலப்பாதை அருகே உள்ள ஏரிக்கரையில் பெண் ஒருவருக்குப் பாலியல் தொல்லை அளித்து, நகை பறிப்பு செய்ததோடு, அவரை அரைநிர்வாணப்படுத்தி…— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) June 2, 2026
A second incident was reported less than 24 hours later on the night of May 31. A 23-year-old woman employed at a beauty parlour in Tiruvannamalai had completed the Girivalam walk and was experiencing discomfort due to leg pain. She contacted a male friend for assistance, and the pair later stopped along the Ayyampalayam bypass road.
Investigators said the duo were allegedly targeted by the same gang and forced into a nearby forest area. The woman was reportedly assaulted, while her gold earrings were stolen. Police also said the accused allegedly demanded money from the victims before leaving the scene.
Following the incident, the woman informed her family, who immediately contacted the police. The complaints led to a large-scale investigation, resulting in multiple arrests and an intensified search operation to track down the remaining suspects.
In response to the incidents, security measures along the Girivalam route have been significantly strengthened, with increased police patrols and surveillance aimed at ensuring the safety of devotees and visitors.
Other accused arrested in the case include B. Akash, R. Tamilarasan, G. Appu, A. Hariharan, V. Sharma, N. Balaji and S. Arun Kumar. Police are continuing their search for the remaining suspects believed to be connected to the crime.
In the wake of the incident, Tamil Nadu Police have significantly strengthened security arrangements along the Girivalam Path. Police personnel are now conducting regular foot patrols along the route, especially during major pilgrimage events, to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors.
Police said investigations are ongoing and efforts continue to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Source / Image Credit : TheNewsMinute , The Hindu , m.dailyhunt
