Coimbatore: The CBI has conducted searches at the residence of the key accused, Thirunavukkarasu, in the Pollachi sexual assault case.

The search was conducted at a house in Chinappampalayam in Pollachi, where it is believed that several of the assault incidents took place. The searches were conducted based on the documents received from the CB-CID on Tuesday and lasted more than an hour.

Also read: Pollachi sexual assault case: Fifth accused surrenders before CBI; sent to judicial custody

The special team headed by CBI officer Karunanidhi conducted the searches in presence of the village administrative officer.

The CBI team also interrogated the neighbours and family members of Thirunavukkarasu.

The Pollachi sexual assault case snowballed into a political slugfest after an AIADMK member was accused of being involved in the case. The AIADMK, however said that DMK chief MK Stalin’s relative was a close aide of the prime accused.

Also read: Pollachi-like sexual assault in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur

To counter these claims, the DMK alleged that the Pollachi minister Jayakumar was shielding the accused.

Jayakumar, however alleged that he had indeed helped one of the women file a complaint against the accused.

On 12 February, a gang of four had allegedly tried to strip the woman inside a car near Pollachi after blackmailing her with a video. The victim had subsequently lodged a complaint with police on 24 February.

The CBI had taken over the investigation from CB-CID and began probe on 12 March at the request of the State government.

Also read: Pollachi sexual assault case: After 2 months, rape charge added in FIR

Upon investigation, it came to the fore that several women had been victims in this case. The accused were five in number and would befriend unsuspecting women on social media and then lure them.

They would then meet the women and have physical relationships with them. The act would be recorded, either secretively or with consent. The videos would later be used to blackmail them for money or jewellery. The police recovered several such videos from the laptops and mobile phones of the accused.

The fifth accused had surrendered before the CBI just a couple of days ago. Four people had earlier been arrested and are in judicial custody.