Vijay tells police to swiftly book sexual crime cases, ensure strict punishment

Following outrage over the Coimbatore sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay directed police to fast-track investigations, ensure strict punishment for culprits, strengthen women and child safety measures, and expedite trials in sexual crime cases

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday directed the police to promptly register cases against those involved in sexual crimes, expeditiously investigate and ensure stringent punishment to the culprits.

Reviewing the law and order situation along with senior officials, especially in the wake of the sexual assault and the brutal murder of a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore, Vijay directed that those involved in heinous crimes should be dealt with strictly and the suspects awarded severe punishment.

---

The meeting also comes amidst opposition criticism of the law and order situation under the TVK government. Various political parties, including main opposition DMK have been lashing out at the TVK dispensation over a spate of murders and sexual crimes. At the review meeting, the CM directed the Advocate General to speed up the trial, ensure precautionary measures and awareness in cases pertaining to crimes against women and children.

“Sexual assault cases should be tried expeditiously and the culprits given severe punishment by conducting the case properly so as to serve as deterrent to others,” Vijay directed the officials, a state government release said.

On Sunday, the Chief Minister spoke to the family of the girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed in Coimbatore over the phone and assured them that justice would be ensured.

The sexual assault and brutal murder of the child in Coimbatore’s Sulur has led to shock and outrage across Tamil Nadu, and chief minister Vijay on Saturday promised strict action following opposition uproar.

Two men, including an acquaintance of the girl, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The meeting, held at state Secretariat, was attended by Chief Secretary M Saikumar, Home Secretary K Manivasan, Advocate General Vijay Narayan, Secretary, Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Department Mariam Pallavi Baldev, Director General of Police Sandeep Roy Rathore, and other senior officials.