Three youths arrested in Ranipet for sexual assault on girl at farm

Three youths were arrested by Ranipet SIPCOT police for the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl inside a coconut seed farm run by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department at Navlak village near in Ranipet town.

Police said the arrested persons, G. Parthiban, 23, V. Raja, 24, and K. Sivaraj, 23, were working at the State-run farm as contract workers for the past few months. Initial inquiry revealed that the 19-year-old survivor was returning home with her male friend on a two-wheeler on Sunday night when the gang, who were said to be in an inebriated condition, stopped the vehicle and chased away her friend.

Later, police said that the gang took her to the farm where they allegedly sexually assaulted her and fled the spot. On her return, the survivor told her parents, who lodged a complaint with the police.

Based on orders of Ranipet SP, Ayman Jamal, special teams were formed to nab the suspects. Police later nabbed the gang from their hideout near Ranipet town. The gang members are previous offenders with petty cases at Ranipet and surrounding areas. They were lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. Further probe is under way.