Chennai, May 13 -- DMK Deputy General Secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi on Tuesday welcomed the conviction of all nine accused in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case, calling it a "landmark verdict" that would bolster the confidence of women across Tamil Nadu and the country in the judicial system.

Speaking to reporters, Kanimozhi said the verdict sends a strong message that survivors of sexual violence no longer have to suffer in silence and that justice will be delivered if they come forward.

"This has been a very welcoming verdict. It is a verdict which gives the women of this country and Tamil Nadu a lot of confidence in the judicial system and the state government--that if they come out and talk about what they suffer, then ...