Coimbatore girl’s sexual assault and murder spark outrage in TN; two arrested
A 10-year-old girl who went missing in Coimbatore was later found dead, triggering arrests, political outrage and intervention by the National Commission for Women
The brutal killing of a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore’s Sulur triggered outrage across Tamil Nadu on Saturday (May 23), with the state government promising strict action amid mounting Opposition criticism. Police said two suspects were arrested and remanded in connection with the child’s abduction, sexual assault and murder.
The prime suspect, K Karthik of Nagapattinam, and his friend Mohanraj were arrested. “The arrest was made within 24 hours of receiving the phone call. Initially, it was a girl missing case and later turned into a sexual assault and murder case,” West Zone Inspector General of Police RV Ramya Bharathi said.
CCTV footage leads to accused
The crime occurred at a desolate location in a private farm abutting a big lake, she told reporters. The girl, who had gone missing on Thursday evening, was found dead on a lake bed near Kannampalayam on Friday.
Also read | Tamil Nadu trust vote under scrutiny as petition in SC alleges corruption, seeks President’s Rule
Ramya Bharathi said the case was still under investigation and efforts were on to file the chargesheet at the earliest, fast-track trial, and ensure justice to the affected girl and her family. Giving details about the incident and the arrest, she said Karthik abducted the 10-year-old girl, who was playing near her house, in Sulur.
The police teams, after verifying CCTV footage, confirmed that 33-year-old neighbour Karthik, an acquaintance of the family, had taken the child along with him.
Karthik tried to flee when the police teams surrounded him at an apartment. He sustained fractures in his right arm and leg when he jumped from the first floor. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.
During the investigation, he confessed to committing the crime and disclosed that his friend Mohanraj helped him, leading to the latter's arrest.
CM assures justice, NCW steps in
Terming the incident as "horrific," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said two persons have been apprehended in connection with the incident and that the police were directed to conduct a detailed and expeditious probe into the killing.
On his official 'X' handle, Vijay said, "I have directed the police to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into the incident and take all necessary actions to file the chargesheet immediately." He expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the victim.
"The horrific incident involving a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore has caused immense pain and shock. Such inhuman and unforgivable criminal acts can never be tolerated in our society," the CM said.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) said it has taken cognisance of the abduction and murder of the girl, and has sought from the Tamil Nadu DGP, a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within seven days.
Strongly condemning the incident, the national panel said it has directed the Tamil Nadu authorities to conduct the investigation with the utmost sensitivity and urgency.
Opposition parties slams TVK govt
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami sought justice in the matter.
“This heinous incident has sent shockwaves across the country. The voice demanding true justice for this murder is echoing from all quarters,” Udhayanidhi wrote on his social media page.
Assuring the victim’s family that the DMK stood by their side, he alleged that since the new government assumed office, more than 30 major incidents, including cases of sexual violence and ganja smuggling, had taken place in just 12 days.
Also read | Anthem row erupts again as ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ placed 3rd at ministers’ swearing-in
“Now the Coimbatore abduction and murder case has made headlines, casting serious doubts on the state’s law and order,” he said, adding, “On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urge the Chief Minister to accord top priority to law and order to ensure that no such incident ever happens again.”
Palaniswami said "it is heartbreaking that this government, which is duty-bound to ensure the safety of women and children, has failed to prevent such heinous incidents".
"Even though two individuals have been arrested in connection with this incident after hours of protests, the inability to save the life of an innocent child points to the government's negligence," he said on 'X.'
(With agency inputs)