A 26-year-old migrant worker from Bihar has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl in Thiruvottiyur, north Chennai, police said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Rahul, lived in a nearby locality. Police said the incident came to light after the child was taken to hospital after complaining of difficulty in urinating. A medical examination subsequently raised concerns about sexual assault.
The accused has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police also detained several other migrant workers who were allegedly trying to help Rahul escape custody. However, a senior police officer disputed reports that the child had been gang-raped.
The incident has triggered a political controversy in Tamil Nadu, with opposition leaders demanding strict action against those responsible and raising broader concerns about women's and children's safety.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) chief Anbumani Ramadoss urged the police to arrest everyone involved and seek the maximum punishment permissible under law. He alleged that the accused took advantage of the child's parents being away at work.
DMK chief M.K. Stalin also reacted strongly to the incident, alleging that law and order had deteriorated in the state. He called for immediate action against those responsible and questioned whether the state's special security measures were being effectively implemented.
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi expressed shock and said the government should ensure that the child receives appropriate medical and legal assistance. She also called for the perpetrators to face strict punishment in accordance with the law.
The case has once again brought attention to the protection of children and the need for effective enforcement of laws dealing with sexual offences against minors.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the alleged attempt by others to help the accused evade custody. Authorities are also expected to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether anyone else was involved.
The case is being investigated under the POCSO framework, which provides specific legal protections for children against sexual offences.
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