A three-year-old girl died on Monday after being sexually assaulted in the SIPCOT industrial area of Gummidipoondi. Police have arrested a migrant worker from Bihar in connection with the crime. The victim’s family, also originally from Bihar, had settled in the industrial locality. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over child safety in the state.
The child was found abandoned with serious injuries in a bushy area on Sunday. She was immediately rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries during treatment the following day. According to police, the girl knew the accused, who lured her away from her home by offering her a biscuit. A senior officer told reporters that the man took the child, sexually assaulted her, and left her in the bushes. Locals later caught the accused and handed him over to the police.
A resident named Indumathi, who lives in the area, recounted that the child had been playing near her home when the incident occurred. The girl was at home before the accused offered her biscuits and took her away. She was later discovered by a woman who had gone to the area to relieve herself. The woman cleaned the child and realised the severity of her condition, prompting immediate medical help. Police initially registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and murder charges are expected to be added following the child’s death.
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The police have dismissed claims of multiple perpetrators, clarifying that only one person was involved and it was not a case of gang rape. Amid public anger, a few other individuals were reportedly assaulted over suspicion of involvement, but authorities confirmed no evidence supported broader complicity. The swift arrest followed local intervention, with investigators working to establish the full sequence of events. The tragedy has intensified public debate on crimes against children in Tamil Nadu.
This incident comes against the backdrop of growing concern over a spurt in sexual offences against women and children in the state. It was a prominent issue during recent assembly elections and continues to dominate public discourse. DMK leader TKS Elangovan urged the government to impose stringent punishment and strengthen intervention measures, describing it as a serious social issue. He also made allegations regarding some recent cases.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had announced the formation of a special women’s safety force named “Singappenn” shortly after assuming office, with the initiative formally launched recently to bolster protection for women and girls. Nationally, over 1.77 lakh cases of crimes against children were recorded in 2023, with more than 67,000 falling under the POCSO Act. The latest tragedy is expected to heighten scrutiny of government efforts to ensure swift justice and curb such crimes.
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