Coimbatore girl assault and murder case: CM Vijay assures two arrested after widespread outrage - 10 Updates

A 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and killed in Coimbatore, sparking shock and widespread outrage in Tamil Nadu. She was missing since Thursday evening and was later found dead in Coimbatore on Friday.

Coimbatore Girl Assault and Murder Case: Top 10 Updates

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday assured a strict course of action following strong opposition protests over the incident. Chief Minister Vijay termed the incident as “appalling” and said such inhumane and unforgivable acts would not be tolerated. “I share my deepest condolences with the girl’s family,” he said in a statement, according to PTI.

Referring to the arrest of the two accused, he said that the Tamil Nadu government would take strong action to ensure that those involved in such heinous crimes against women and children face strict punishment under the law. He added that all necessary steps will be taken immediately.

2. Police said a 33-year-old man, K Karthi, a native of Nagapattinam district and an acquaintance of the victim’s family, accused of sexual assault, was arrested under the POCSO Act and other charges, including murder, while his alleged accomplice was also taken into custody for criminal conspiracy.

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3. The girl, who was playing outside her house under the jurisdiction of Sulur police station near Coimbatore, went missing around 5 pm on May 21, according to police. A complaint was lodged by 8.30 pm on the same day, after which the case was registered.

4. They added that five special teams were immediately formed and efforts were intensified to trace the child. CCTV footage from surrounding areas was examined and technical tools were also used to assist the investigation.

5. West Zone Inspector General of Police RV Ramya Bharathi said that when the accused Karthik tried to flee, the police teams cornered him in the flat. While escaping, he jumped from the first floor and suffered a fractured right arm and leg. He is being treated at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.

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6. The official police statement said that during the investigation, the main accused confessed that he lured the girl, sexually assaulted her and then strangled her to death in a coconut grove near a pond. The statement further states that R. Mohan (30), who allegedly assisted in the crime, was arrested for aiding the accused and was sent to judicial custody.

According to the report, a police official noted, “The arrest was made within 24 hours of receiving the phone call. It was initially a case of a missing girl and later turned into a case of sexual assault and murder.”

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7. Opposition leaders including DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss strongly condemned the incident and called for strict action.

Describing the crime as deeply shocking, Udhayanidhi, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition, said the brutal incident has shaken the entire nation, adding that there are calls for justice from all directions.

Palaniswami stated, “This government must show seriousness not just by mere promotional measures on women’s safety, but also by creating robust and effective protection systems. It must act not as a ‘puck’ government but as a real government.”

“While I strongly condemn this inhuman crime, I also request that the perpetrators be punished to the fullest extent of the law and that this government take immediate and vigorous measures to ensure the safety of women and children so that such incidents never recur,” the former CM added.

8. The crime took place in a remote area of a private farm located by a large lake, RV Ramya Bharathi said, adding that the investigation is still on and efforts are being made to file charges as soon as possible, speed up the process and ensure justice for the victim and her family.

9. The National Commission for Women said it has taken cognizance of the abduction and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore, about 500 km from Chennai, and has asked the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police for a detailed action report within seven days.

10. The Commission strongly condemned the incident and directed the Tamil Nadu authorities to conduct investigations with utmost urgency and sensitivity.

(With agency input)