Police Arrest Two in Shocking Coimbatore Child Crime

Tamil Nadu Police have arrested the main accused in the abduction and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore, officials said on Saturday.

Inspector General of Police for the West Zone, R.V. Ramya Bharathi, said that analysis of CCTV footage, surveillance footage from nearby areas, and technical evidence confirmed that the accused, identified as Karthi, aged 33 and originally from Nagapattinam, had taken the missing child with him. He was reportedly a neighbour and acquaintance of the victim’s family.

Police tracked Karthi to the first floor of Maria Rose Garden Apartments at Kannampalayam in Coimbatore. According to officials, he attempted to escape by jumping from the building when surrounded by the special police team, resulting in fractures to his right hand and right leg. He was subsequently arrested.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to luring the child, sexually assaulting her, and later murdering her, police said.

Investigators also identified another accused, Mohan, aged 30, who allegedly assisted Karthi in the crime. Mohan has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

Karthi is currently undergoing treatment at Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital. Police stated that since the case involves the assault of a minor child, additional charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) have been added, and stringent legal action is being pursued.

The incident has triggered widespread shock and concern in the region, with authorities assuring swift investigation and prosecution in the case.