The Sulur police in Coimbatore district on Tuesday e-filed a comprehensive 819-page chargesheet against two men arrested in connection with the sexual assault and murder of a minor girl on May 21. The chargesheet was submitted 18 days after the arrest of the accused, a relatively short period for such cases.
Chargesheet Details
The investigating team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Karikal Pari Shankar, e-filed the chargesheet before a special court for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The document includes 104 prosecution witnesses and 215 pieces of evidence.
Accused and Charges
The prime accused, K Karthi, 35, of Pallapalayam near Sulur, faces charges under sections 61(2)(a), 140(1), 140(4), 103(1), 238(a), 127(2), 65(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 5(i), 5(l), 5(m), 5(j-4) read with 6(1) of the POCSO Act. His accomplice, R Mohan, 31, also of Pallapalayam, has been charged under sections 61(2)(a), 140(1), 140(4) read with 49, 238(a), 240, 249(a) BNS, and sections 6(1) read with 16 and 17 of POCSO.
Crime and Investigation
According to police, Karthi abducted the girl on the evening of May 21 by luring her with the promise of chocolates. He took her to a private land parcel near Kannampalayam tank on a motorcycle, where he sexually assaulted and murdered her. The accused were arrested within 24 hours of the incident.
During the investigation, police conducted DNA profiling, potency tests, and cyber forensic analyses on Karthi. Cyber analysis was also performed to verify Karthi's communication with Mohan before and after the crime. Although Mohan had knowledge of the crime, he failed to report it and misled police during questioning.
The swift filing of the chargesheet underscores the efficiency of the investigation, ensuring that justice is sought promptly for the heinous crime.
