COIMBATORE, May 24:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday spoke to the parents of the 10-year-old girl who was brutally murdered near Sulur in Coimbatore district, offering condolences and assuring them that the government would ensure the strictest possible action against those responsible for the crime. During the phone conversation, Vijay comforted the grieving family and assured them that the State government would pursue the case with utmost seriousness and ensure that justice is delivered without delay. The Chief Minister had earlier described the incident as an inhuman and unforgivable crime that has no place in a civilised society.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu, with political leaders, social organisations and members of the public strongly condemning the crime and demanding swift punishment for the accused.

According to police, the victim, a resident of a village near Sulur, had gone out near her house and later failed to return. Concerned family members launched a search before approaching the police, who immediately initiated an intensive investigation. Local residents also joined search efforts as police teams carried out a large-scale operation to trace the missing child.

The search ended in tragedy when the girl was found dead in a bushy area in the locality, sending shockwaves through the region and sparking anger among residents.

Following an extensive investigation, police identified the girl’s neighbour, Karthik, 33, as the prime suspect and arrested him in connection with the case. Mohan Raj, suspected to have knowledge of the crime or involvement in the incident, has also been taken into custody and is being questioned.

Police said further legal action would follow based on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, while calls for stronger measures against crimes involving children continue to intensify across the State.