A 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and murdered by her neighbour in Coimbatore on Thursday night, triggering widespread protests and condemnation on Saturday as the news spread. The child had gone missing around 5 pm on Thursday while playing outside her house at Pallapalayam, where the family had moved just 20 days ago. After her parents informed the police, a case was registered by 10 pm. Police formed five teams and began scanning footage from CCTV cameras in the area.
Body Found Near Lake
Around 6 pm on Friday, police discovered the child's body near the Kannampalayam lake close to Sulur. Meanwhile, they had zeroed in on a neighbour, 33-year-old K Karthi, a native of Nagapattinam district, after footage showed him luring the child away from the location. Police traced Karthi to an apartment complex at Kannampalayam and apprehended him along with his friend, R Mohan, 30, a resident of Bharathipuram, Pallapalayam, who had assisted Karthi in committing the crime.
Arrest Within 24 Hours
R V Ramya Bharathi, Inspector General of Police, West Zone, stated, "We arrested both the accused within 24 hours of the complaint. A special police team surrounded an apartment complex in Kannampalayam where Karthi was hiding on the first floor." In an attempt to evade arrest, Karthi jumped from the first floor and sustained fractures to his right hand and right leg. He was subsequently apprehended by the special team.
Confession and Legal Proceedings
Police said Karthi admitted to luring the child, sexually assaulting her, and later murdering her in a nearby coconut grove close to Kannampalayam lake. Mohan was produced in court and remanded in judicial custody. Karthi, who suffered fractures, was admitted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Political Reactions
Following criticism from opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, and other political leaders, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay vowed to ensure strict punishment for the culprits and promised to take steps for the safety of women and children.
