One arrested for rape and murder of 7-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu

A man has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault and death of a seven-year-old girl at Aranthangi in Pudukottai district. According to Tamil Nadu police, the girl while playing outside her home had gone missing on Monday.

Chennai: A missing seven-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and killed allegedly by a man in a village near here, following which he has been arrested on Thursday. The crime coming close on the heels of a killing of a 13 -year old girl in this district, has led to an outrage and Chief Minister K Palaniswami assured stern legal action against the accused involved in the ghastly crime.

The child went missing on June 30 evening and after unsuccessful searches, her family lodged a police complaint the next day.

During the investigation, police said that they spotted the body of the child in a deserted location near her village and it was also found that the child was last seen with a neighbour.

"A youth, living near the child's house had taken her to a temple and local people also had seen them together. Later, this man had taken her to a secluded place where he sexually assaulted and killed her," a police official told media.

The 25-year-old man was arrested today and during questioning, he confessed to his crime of sexual assault and murder, the official said adding the body of the victim, which bore signs of assault and injuries was sent to a government hospital for post-mortem.

Condoling the girl's death, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh to her family.

Palaniswami said he has ordered the police to take fast action in the case.

In a statement, RG Anand, member of NCPCR, said the Commission has started its probe in the case.

Notably, DMK President MK Stalin in a social media post said such incidents have put a question mark on the safety of girl child and women in Tamil Nadu.Condoling the girl's death.

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Asked on the findings of the autopsy, he said, "The report corroborates the confession of the accused."

A case of rape and murder under IPC sections, the POCSO Act for aggravated penetrative sexual assault and the SC/ST Act has been filed. The family of the victim has still not accepted her body protesting against the crime, the assailant and seeking government intervention.

The ghastly crime against the child has outraged people and several in the social media sought justice and condemned crimes against women and children.

In May, a 13-year old girl was killed by her father "to get prosperity," on the basis of "advise of a woman black magician."

Notably, four people including the victim's father, the black magician and her assistant were arrested.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)