Coimbatore gang-rape case: Three men arrested after police shoot them in the legs during an escape bid
Coimbatore, Nov 4, 2025 — Coimbatore police have arrested three men in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a 20-year-old postgraduate student near the city airport. Police said officers fired at the suspects’ legs when they “attempted to escape” during the arrest.
What happened — the police timeline
According to police briefings and multiple media reports, the student and her boyfriend were parked near Brindhavan Nagar, behind Coimbatore International Airport, late on Sunday night when three men arrived on a two-wheeler, assaulted the boyfriend and forced the woman away. The survivor was rescued by Peelamedu police around 4 a.m. after a sustained search; the attackers fled the scene.
A large, multi-team manhunt was launched. Police sources say CCTV and other leads tracked a trail that included a TVS-50 moped (reported stolen) and reportedly a tip-off about a stolen phone, which helped narrow down the suspects. After an intensive search lasting nearly 36 hours, officers located and confronted three men in Vellakinar, where the brief shootout and arrest took place.
The arrests and injuries
Local reports identify the three arrested men as Guna, Karuppasamy, and Karthik alias Kaleeswaran; police say the trio were shot in the legs while attempting to flee and were taken to a government hospital for treatment. A head constable was also reported to have been injured in the encounter.
Coimbatore City Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar is reported as saying officers fired to immobilise suspects during their escape attempt; the police maintain the shooting was aimed at preventing flight and further danger, not to kill.
Investigation status and evidentiary work
Police have reportedly examined hundreds of CCTV clips and circulated mugshots — the survivor was said to be unable to pick the attackers from a lineup of around 60 photographs, prompting investigators to broaden the search into migrant labour clusters in the city. Police have formed multiple special teams to comb areas for additional evidence and witnesses.
Official procedure in such cases normally includes: registration of an FIR, immediate medical examination and medico-legal documentation of the survivor, seizure and preservation of items (vehicles, phones, clothing) as potential evidence, and forensic sampling (biological swabs, DNA) with strict chain-of-custody controls. Those elements were reported as being part of the ongoing probe by local authorities and media sources.
Forensic and legal perspective (Budding Forensic Expert analysis)
- Medico-legal exam and documentation — Timely, thorough recording of injuries and collection of biological samples is critical. Any delay or break in chain of custody can compromise DNA comparisons later. (Media reports indicate the survivor was admitted to a private hospital and that evidence collection is underway.)
- CCTV and digital forensics — Given the difficulty in positive visual ID noted in reports, investigators will rely heavily on corroborative digital evidence — call records, handset location pings, and any CCTV that places suspects near the scene or along their escape route. The reported recovery of a stolen moped and a phone tip-off are consistent with such lines of inquiry.
- Ballistics and wound documentation — Because the suspects were shot in the legs, accurate medical and forensic documentation of gunshot wounds (entry/exit, pellets vs. single projectile, range, caliber) will be necessary for any later criminal or civil proceedings and to establish proportionality and intent in the police use of force. Reports so far indicate the wounds were non-fatal and suspects received hospital treatment.
- Victim-centred approach & rights — Forensic teams must ensure the survivor receives trauma-informed medical care, counselling, and legal assistance. Preserving the survivor’s privacy during forensic procedures and every step of the investigation is essential while balancing investigative needs.
What to watch next
- Forensic test results: DNA matches from biological samples or trace evidence (fibres, hairs) could be decisive.
- Police reports and FIR details: The exact charges, statements of the survivor and the arrested men, and the contents of the FIR will shape prosecution strategy.
- Medical and ballistics reports concerning the injuries sustained by suspects and the responding constable — these will influence any review of police use of force.
Official statements & public reaction
State and local leaders, rights groups and citizens have called for swift action and strict accountability. Several outlets report that the case has ignited public concern over student safety and policing near isolated spots close to the airport. Police say they are treating the investigation as a priority.
Sources (selected, linked)
- Business Standard, “Coimbatore gang rape: 3 accused shot and arrested after police encounter.” — https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/coimbatore-gang-rape-police-arrest-three-accused-encounter-shot-escape-125110400183_1.html.
- The Indian Express, “TVS-50 trail, stolen iPhone tip-off and 36-hour manhunt: Police arrest Coimbatore rape accused after shootout.” — https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tvs-50-trail-stolen-iphone-manhunt-police-arrest-coimbatore-rape-accused-shootout-10345006/.
- Times of India, “20-yr-old PG student kidnapped, gang-raped by three men in Coimbatore.” — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/20-yr-old-pg-student-kidnapped-gang-raped-by-three-men-in-coimbatore/articleshow/125068031.cms.
- First India, reporting names and that suspects were shot in the legs: https://firstindia.co.in/news/india/coimbatore-police-arrest-3-men-accused-of-gang-rape-in-encounter-constable-injured.
- LiveMint, coverage with arrest, hospitalisation and police statements — https://www.livemint.com/.
- Moneycontrol, coverage with arrest, hospitalisation and police statements — https://www.moneycontrol.com/.
- ThePrint, coverage with arrest, hospitalisation and police statements — https://theprint.in/.
