The case relates to the brutal murder of a Class 12 student in Thoothukudi district, whose body was found near her home days after she went missing. Following days of intense search and mounting public outrage, police have now arrested a suspect identified as Muneeswaran, a history-sheeter with over 20 previous criminal cases, including murder and attempted rape.
According to police sources, the accused had been moving around the village prior to the crime and was tracked using CCTV footage before being traced to Chennai and brought back for investigation. The case has been registered under murder and POCSO provisions, with further inquiry underway.
Reacting strongly, Annamalai alleged that the tragedy could have been prevented if police had acted promptly on the missing complaint. He criticised what he described as “lethargic monitoring” of habitual offenders and questioned how a person with a serious criminal background was out on bail without proper surveillance.
The delay in registering the complaint and initial inaction had already drawn criticism, with disciplinary action taken against police personnel for negligence. The incident had sparked protests in the region, with residents demanding swift justice and accountability.
The case has also come under judicial scrutiny, with the investigation being closely monitored and multiple teams deployed to track the accused. Meanwhile, political leaders across parties have weighed in, turning the issue into a broader debate on law and order and women’s safety in Tamil Nadu.
As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victim, even as the controversy over delayed action continues to intensify.