Tamil Nadu girl murder sparks outrage, CM orders detailed probe

The brutal killing of a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore’s Sulur triggered outrage across Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay ordering a detailed probe. Opposition leaders criticised the government over law and order, while the NCW sought an action taken report

Coimbatore/Chennai (Tamil Nadu): A 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore’s Sulur was brutally killed, triggering shock and outrage across the state, with the government promising strict action on Saturday following opposition criticism.

Terming the incident as “horrific,” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said two persons had been apprehended in connection with the incident and that the police had been directed to conduct a detailed and expeditious probe into the killing.

---

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, among others, sought justice in the matter.

On his official X handle, Vijay said, “I have directed the police to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into the incident and take all necessary steps to file the chargesheet immediately.” He expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the victim.

“The horrific incident that occurred yesterday involving a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore causes immense pain and shock. Such inhuman and unforgivable criminal acts can never be tolerated in our society,” the Chief Minister said.

Stating that the government would act firmly to ensure that those committing such heinous acts against women and children receive severe punishment under the law, he said all immediate and necessary steps would be taken in this regard.

Meanwhile, various political leaders, including DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, condemned the incident.

“This heinous incident has sent shockwaves across the country. The voice demanding true justice for this murder is echoing from all quarters,” Udhayanidhi wrote on his social media page.

Assuring the victim’s family that the DMK stood by their side, he alleged that “since the new government assumed office, in just 12 days, over 30 major incidents, including sexual violence and ganja smuggling, have taken place.”

“Now the Coimbatore abduction and murder have made headlines, casting serious doubts on the state’s law and order,” he said, adding, “on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urge the Chief Minister to accord top priority to law and order to ensure no such incident ever happens again.”

Palaniswami said, “It is heartbreaking that this government, which is duty-bound to ensure the safety of women and children, has failed to prevent such heinous incidents.”

“Even though two individuals have been arrested in connection with this incident after hours of protests, the inability to save the life of an innocent child points to the government’s negligence,” he said on X.

Palaniswami also demanded that the perpetrators be given the strictest punishment under the law and that the government take immediate and firm action to ensure the safety of women and children in order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran said that “those inhuman perpetrators must face stern action.” Claiming that the rising number of crimes against children and women in Tamil Nadu was not only a law-and-order issue but also raised grave questions about the basic humanity of society, Dhinakaran said, “I urge Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to ensure that these inhuman perpetrators who brutally murdered the girl are arrested and dealt with sternly.”

PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss demanded the death penalty for the perpetrators of the crime.

Alleging that under the previous DMK administration, women and children were unable to move about freely, he said: “During the DMK’s five-year term, there were more than 62,000 criminal incidents, including 27,000 cases registered under the POCSO Act involving crimes against children, and the state must ensure that such a situation never recurs.”

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) said it had taken cognisance of the abduction and murder of the girl and sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Tamil Nadu DGP within seven days.

Strongly condemning the incident, the national panel said it had directed the Tamil Nadu authorities to conduct the investigation with the utmost sensitivity and urgency.