A man has been detained by Tamil Nadu police in connection with the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in the Tiruvallur district. The suspect, who is from West Bengal, was apprehended nearly two weeks after the incident occurred on July 12 in Arambakkam.
The crime took place while the girl was walking home from school. According to reports, the accused abducted the child while she was walking alone on a deserted street. After the assault, the girl managed to escape and informed her grandmother, who then took her to the Ponneri Government Hospital. She was later transferred to a government hospital in Chennai for advanced treatment. Police confirmed that the child received medical treatment and is now in stable condition.
Following the incident, the Arambakkam police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Eight special teams were formed by the Tiruvallur police to track down the accused. These teams analyzed CCTV footage from various locations, including shops, roads, and railway stations.
The suspect was eventually located in Sullurpeta, Andhra Pradesh, still wearing the same clothes as seen in the CCTV footage from the day of the crime. He was taken into custody by one of the special police teams. The survivor was shown a photograph of the suspect and confirmed his identity. Previously, two other individuals were questioned but were ruled out after the survivor did not identify them. The arrested suspect is believed to have been working at a roadside dhaba in Sullurpeta. Police are currently investigating his background and checking for any prior criminal record in other states.
During the assault, the suspect received phone calls, and the girl overheard a Hindi song as his ringtone. When the suspect was distracted the minor managed to flee. The survivor also stopped another girl from approaching the area, potentially preventing another assault.
The arrest comes after the Tiruvallur Police released CCTV images of the unidentified accused and sought public assistance in identifying him. The disturbing visuals captured in CCTV footage showed the man stalking the minor girl and later forcibly lifting her.
The incident has sparked outrage and concern over child safety in Tamil Nadu. Child rights activists have emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures for children. The AIADMK has criticized the ruling DMK for allegedly failing to ensure the safety of women and children. K Annamalai, former state BJP chief, demanded immediate action, stating that the accused at large posed a threat to society.
