The Coimbatore Court on Wednesday approved three days of police custody for two suspects arrested over the sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Sulur, Tamil Nadu.
The accused, Karthi and Mohanraj, were presented before the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court under strict security measures. Karthi, who sustained a leg fracture during his arrest while allegedly attempting to escape, was brought to court on a stretcher.
Police requested a five-day custody period to conduct intensive questioning about the crime. After considering the request, POCSO Court Judge Bhagavathi Ammal authorised a three-day custody for further investigation.
Following the court order, police escorted both accused from the courthouse under heavy security to begin additional interrogation.
Earlier, Inspector General of Police Bharati stated in a press conference that the case is being amended to include provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012, due to the victim's minor status.
She explained that five special teams conducted an extensive search and investigation, which led to the arrest of the main suspect, Karthi, a neighbour and acquaintance of the victim’s family, who had taken the missing child with him.
During interrogation, Karthi disclosed the involvement of another individual, Mohan, who was subsequently arrested, according to the Inspector General.
“Subsequently, five special teams were formed immediately under the supervision of the DSP, and intensive search operations were undertaken to trace the missing child. Investigation, including CCTV footage analysis, confirmed that one Karthi, who was a neighbour and acquaintance of the victim’s family, had taken the missing child along with him. He was arrested, and during the course of interrogation, the accused confessed that he had lured, sexually assaulted and murdered the child. Further investigation also revealed the involvement of another accused, namely Mohan, who has allegedly assisted the main accused,” she said.
“As the case pertains to the assault of a minor child, the case is being altered to include the provisions of the POCSO Act. The two accused persons were arrested within 24 hours,” she added.
The incident follows the discovery of the 10-year-old schoolgirl’s body near a pond in Sulur, Coimbatore district, on May 23. Police arrested two individuals in connection with the case.
Authorities reported that the girl went missing while playing outside her home. Her family later found her body near the pond, which caused unrest in the community. Relatives suspected sexual assault and demanded severe punishment for the perpetrators.
Sulur police registered a case and sent the body for post-mortem examination at the Government Hospital. Investigators suspected strangulation as the cause of death. Subsequently, two suspects, Karthick, a daily wage worker from Nagapattinam, and Mohanraj, were arrested.
Both were presented before Sulur Judge Arunkumar, who remanded them in judicial custody until May 27.
The girl's body was transferred to ESI Hospital in Varadharajapuram for post-mortem examination, with a strong police presence maintained outside the facility.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family and relatives held a protest on a national highway near the Sulur Police Station, seeking justice. The demonstration led to traffic congestion before police intervened and engaged in talks with the protesters.