89 persons detained under Goondas Act in Tirunelveli City in 2025

A total of 89 persons, mostly criminals involved in heinous crimes, were detained under the Goondas Act by the Tirunelveli City Police during 2025.

Since Goondas Act is being invoked against hardcore criminals, murderers, ganja smugglers and peddlers and sex offenders, 89 persons, including 70 criminals, involved in heinous crimes like murder and attempt to murder were detained under this Act during 2025. Moreover, two others were detained under the National Security Act, an official statement said.

While the city recorded 17 murder cases in 2024, last year it witnessed 16 murders, in which 28 persons were arrested and 17 of them detained under the Goondas Act. Moreover, 99 others were arrested in connection with 54 attempt to murder cases in 2025 in Tirunelveli city.

As drive against ganja and other narcotic substances has been intensified, 56 cases were registered in 2025 against 105 persons from whom 216 kg ganja was seized. Of this, 14 were detained under the Goondas Act while 19 vehicles used for smuggling ganja were seized from them. Moreover, 91 persons were arrested for smuggling, stocking and selling 707 Kg banned tobacco products and 129 others arrested for selling liquor illegally.

The statement also said accused in 413 cases including eight POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) cases, three murder cases, three attempt to murder cases, 36 fatal accident cases, five theft and burglary cases, 33 NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) cases and 137 COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) cases were convicted by the courts.

As special police teams were formed for detaining the accused against whom warrants are pending, 103 persons, who abstained from appearing before the court in the cases against them were arrested and remanded in judicial custody during 2025.

The statement said 3,998 awareness programmes on POCSO Act were organised in the schools, colleges and also in the places where the public gather in large numbers.