Tiruvannamalai police have arrested a gang accused of targeting couples along the Girivalam path, secretly filming them and using the footage to threaten and extort money and jewellery.
The case came to light after a 23-year-old woman complained that on the night of May 31, while she was alone with her boyfriend during Girivalam, a group recorded a video and threatened her. A special police team investigated and arrested eight people, including a 16-year-old boy.
During the operation, police seized six mobile phones. Officials said they were shocked to find videos allegedly showing 23 women nude, along with clips recorded when couples were alone.
Investigators said the gang typically roamed isolated areas at night on bikes, called in friends when they spotted a couple, and acted together to intimidate victims. The group is also accused of forcing women to stand nude, filming them, and engaging in sexual harassment.
Police believe many victims stayed silent out of fear and because several incidents involved illicit relationships. Officers are now working to identify the women seen in the videos and to determine how much cash and jewellery were taken from victims.
