7-year-old raped and murdered in Tamil Nadu's Pudukkottai; one accused arrested

In a horrifying incident, a 7-year-old was found raped and murdered in Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. The minor had been missing for the past 2 days and her family had filed a missing complaint on June 30. On Thursday, the Pudukottai police found her body near a pond in Pudukkottai with grievous injuries. The autopsy report has confirmed that the minor girl had been sexually assaulted and murdered. 

As per the prima facie evidence, she was last accompanied by a neighbour who said that he was taking her to a nearby temple. Her father who is an agricultural labourer expressed his suspicions after she did not return home, after which an official complaint was lodged. The police started their investigation on Wednesday and managed to track down her body near an empty pond outside the village area on Thursday.  

Shortly after the investigation, the Pudukottai police arrested accused 25-year-old Raja in the case. One more accomplice, accused in the case is said to be absconding.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami took to Twitter to express his condolences. He said, "The incident of the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl near Aranthangi in Pudukkottai district is heartbreaking. Severe action will be taken against those involved in this act. My condolences to the little girl’s family."

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Reacting to the incident, DMK President MK Stalin called for the need to end these barbaric acts and said, "Again a girl child! It's really shocking to know that a 7-year-old child was sexually assaulted and found in a pond near Aranthangi with injuries. There is fear about the security of women and children as well. There should be an end to all these barbaric acts," he tweeted. 

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken up the matter calling the incident "really painful." The commission has also spoken with the SP of Pudukottai district and enquired about the case developments. It has also asked for the investigation to be completed soon. The NCPCR has ensured that the culprit will be brought to justice under the POCSO act and compensation will be given to the family members of the victim.

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