Kabaddi coach arrested in Kodaikanal for sexually assaulting minor trainee in Semmancheri

A 29-year-old Kabaddi coach has been arrested in Kodaikanal by the Semmancheri police for the sexual assault of a 17-year-old female trainee at her residence in Semmancheri, Chennai. The arrest of the suspect, identified as Raji, was executed after he had been absconding and evading law enforcement officials for nearly three weeks.

The sexual assault occurred in June. According to the police, the survivor is a 17-year-old girl who had lost both of her parents and was residing with her grandmother. The accused, Raji, who runs a local Kabaddi club, allegedly took advantage of the grandmother’s brief absence from their residence to sexually assault the minor trainee at her home.

The situation was brought to light by the teammates of the trainee. They noticed a sudden change in her behaviour and observed her experiencing visible discomfort. Following these observations and subsequent complaints, the Semmancheri All Women Police Station (AWPS) registered a case against the coach.

The Semmancheri AWPS booked Raji under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The First Information Report (FIR) filed against the coach includes charges of both sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault.

After the case was registered by the police, the accused went into hiding. He successfully evaded arrest for a period of nearly three weeks. The police team eventually tracked Raji to Kodaikanal, where he was apprehended and arrested.

He has now been brought under police custody in connection with the registered POCSO case as the investigation continues.