COIMBATORE: Karthi, 33, the prime accused in the brutal abduction, sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl near Sulur, was assaulted by fellow inmates inside the Coimbatore Central Prison on Saturday afternoon.
Prison Altercation
According to prison sources, the altercation broke out inside the complex during lunch hours, leaving Karthi with fresh injuries on his hands and legs. Prison authorities intervened to bring the situation under control, and Karthi was immediately rushed to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for treatment under tight security.
Previous Injuries
Karthi was already carrying severe injuries prior to the assault in jail. On May 22 night, when a special police team tracked him down to a first-floor apartment in Kannampalayam where he was hiding, he attempted to evade arrest by jumping from the building. The fall resulted in fractures on his right hand and right leg, after which he was apprehended and hospitalized before being remanded in judicial custody.
The Crime
The girl went missing from outside her residence at Bharathipuram in Pallapalayam on May 21. Her body was found on May 22. An intensive police investigation involving the analysis of nearly 250 CCTV cameras revealed that Karthi, a neighbour who was known to the family, had lured the child away on his two-wheeler by promising her chocolates.
Confession and Arrest
During interrogation, Karthi confessed to sexually assaulting and murdering the child in a nearby coconut grove close to the Kannampalayam lakebed. Police subsequently arrested his accomplice, R Mohan (30), who assisted in the crime. Both accused have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act, and were recently detained under the stringent Goondas Act.
About the Author
Tysion Prabhu is a senior correspondent with The Times of India in Coimbatore. As a crime reporter, he covers crime trends, defence, and the railways. He holds a master's degree in journalism from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. In addition to crime reporting, he also writes on sports and has a background as a professional cricket player.
