Coimbatore: A 10-year-old girl from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, who went missing on May 21 evening after stepping out to buy groceries in Sulur, was found dead near Kannampalayam lake, police said. She was allegedly abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered.
Police arrested neighbour Karthik (33), a daily wage labourer, and Mohanraj for the crime. CCTV footage and technical evidence led to their identification. Karthik was caught after attempting to flee and sustained injuries, later confessing to the offence.
Officials said the crime took place in a coconut farm near a pond and was confirmed under POCSO after postmortem. West Zone IGP RV Ramya said the body was recovered near a water tank, while DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore reviewed the investigation as protests erupted in Sulur.
The victim’s family refused to take the body from the mortuary, demanding assurance from Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. Vijay condemned the incident as inhuman, expressed condolences, and directed a swift investigation and early chargesheet, promising strict punishment.
கோயம்புத்தூரில் நேற்று 10 வயது சிறுமிக்கு நிகழ்ந்த கொடூர சம்பவம் மிகுந்த வேதனையையும், அதிர்ச்சியையும் அளிக்கிறது. இத்தகைய மனிதநேயமற்ற மற்றும் மன்னிக்க முடியாத குற்றச் செயல்கள் நமது சமூகத்தில் ஒருபோதும் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளப்பட முடியாது.
தங்கள் உயிருக்குயிரான குழந்தையைப் பிரிந்து வாடும்…
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 23, 2026
Opposition DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin cited over 30 crimes in 12 days under the new government.
BJP’s K Annamalai blamed the previous regime, while TVK leaders MS Sampath and NM Sukumar assured justice. PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss demanded death penalty and other leaders also condemned the killing.
