A three-year-old girl died after being sexually assaulted in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district. Police have arrested a Bihar native and ruled out the involvement of multiple accused.
A three-year-old girl died after an alleged sexual assault in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district. Police have arrested one accused and said the investigation has found no evidence of multiple offenders. | ANI
The death of a three-year-old girl following a sexual assault in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has triggered a furore across the state.
The child, whose family had been living in the SIPCOT industrial area of Gummidipoondi, was discovered with severe injuries in a bushy stretch on Sunday. She was admitted to hospital but succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
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Police have arrested a migrant worker from Bihar in connection with the case. Officials said both the accused and the victim’s family are originally from Bihar and were residing in the area for work.
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According to investigators, the accused was known to the child. Police said he allegedly enticed her with biscuits before taking her away and sexually assaulting her.
The suspect was later apprehended by local residents and handed over to the police.
Meanwhile, rumours circulated that more than one person may have been involved. However, Tiruvallur district police said the investigation has found no evidence supporting such claims.
“Only one individual was involved in the incident,” police said in a statement, adding that the accused was arrested.
A resident of the locality said the child had been playing near her home before she went missing. The girl was later found abandoned by a woman who had gone into the area and noticed her condition.
Police initially booked the accused under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Following the child’s death, additional charges, including murder, are expected to be added.
The incident has once again brought focus on crimes against women and children in Tamil Nadu, an issue that figured prominently during the recent Assembly election campaign.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan called for stringent punishment for offenders and stronger measures to prevent such crimes.
“The government should be strict on these incidents. Punishment should be severe. This is a social issue. The government should concentrate on it,” NDTV cited Elangovan as saying.
The case comes days after the state government launched “Singappenn”, a dedicated women’s safety force announced by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to strengthen protection mechanisms for women and girls.
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