Police solve case without leads, sparking Tamil Nadu’s tough Anti-Eve-Teasing Law

By Sagaya Fernando | March 08, 2025

CHENNAI, INDIA – A routine afternoon outing turned into a tragic incident for 20-year-old college student Sarika Shah, whose fatal fall on July 18, 1998, led to a landmark law against eve-teasing in Tamil Nadu. Despite an initial lack of leads, Chennai police cracked the case, leading to the conviction of nine individuals and legislative reform.

A Shocking Incident

Sarika, a second-year BBM student at Ethiraj College for Women, was out for a juice break with her friend Kavitha when a gang of young men in an autorickshaw harassed them. One of the youths sprayed water on them before jumping onto Sarika, causing her to fall and suffer severe head injuries. She was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries days later.

Police Faced an Initial Deadlock

The case was first mistaken for a road accident, delaying crucial investigative efforts. With no CCTV footage or mobile phones available, police had little to go on. Witnesses, including students, were reluctant to cooperate. However, a special investigation team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police M C Sarangan, began an exhaustive probe, questioning over 2,000 people.

Breakthrough in the Case

The first lead came from Electricity Board workers near the scene, who recalled a youth falling onto Sarika and fleeing into the Cooum River. A fruit vendor further noted that the autorickshaw had a Congress party flag, leading police to investigate political gatherings that day.

A Youth Congress meeting had taken place, attended by a local party aspirant, Murugan. Following extensive questioning of autorickshaw drivers and party volunteers, police tracked down the main suspect to a house in MKB Nagar and arrested him at midnight on July 26. Over the next few days, eight more individuals, aged 19 to 22, were taken into custody.

Legal Repercussions and Sentencing

Initially charged with negligence, the case was upgraded to murder following Sarika’s death on July 27. Public outcry and media pressure led the Tamil Nadu government, under then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, to pass an ordinance on July 30, making eve-teasing a criminal offense with up to one year in prison or a fine of ₹ 10,000.

In 2001, a trial court sentenced all nine accused to five years of rigorous imprisonment, a decision upheld by the Madras High Court in 2008. Justice S.K. Krishnan remarked that the case highlighted the everyday dangers faced by women.

 A Lasting Legal Impact

Sarika Shah’s tragic death led to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Eve Teasing Act, 1998, which was later replaced by the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002. The law, still in force today, imposes a maximum three-year jail term and a fine of ₹ 10,000 for offenders.

The case remains a watershed moment in India’s legal history, emphasizing the need for stronger protections against harassment and the crucial role of police perseverance in delivering justice.