The Coimbatore District Police have issued a protection order against a sexual offender under provisions of the recently amended Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The action was initiated against Abdul Rasak, 48, of Mettupalayam, who was booked by the police in March for continued sexual harassment on a 19-year-old girl.
It was also found during investigation that Rasak was facing a case at the Mettupalayam Railway Police Station for sexually harassing the same girl. The Mettupalayam police arrested Rasak and he was sent to judicial remand.
According to the police, Clause 7C of the recently amended TNPHW (Amendment) Act, 2025 permits issuance of a protection order if the Executive Magistrate is prima facie satisfied that an offence punishable under Section 4 of the Act or Sections 74–79, 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, has occurred.
The order prohibits the accused from attempting to communicate with the victim in any form, including personal, oral, written, electronic, telephonic contact and through third parties, said a release from the police.
A breach of the protection order by the accused is an offence under the Act, attracting imprisonment that may extend to three years and with fine upto ₹1 lakh.
To ensure the victim’s safety, Coimbatore North Revenue Divisional Officer issued a one-year protection order against Rasak, acting on the recommendation of the inspector of Mettupalayam station and under the directive of the Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore District.
The release added that this is the first instance in Coimbatore district where such an order has been issued against an offender under the recently amended Act and second in the state to implement the order successfully.
Published – April 25, 2025 12:24 am IST
