The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday invoked the Goondas Act against the accused in the murder case of a 10-year-old girl in Sollur near Coimbatore that has sparked state-wide outrage.
K Karthi, 33, of Nagapattinam district, and R Mohan, 30, of Thanjavur, were arrested under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and remanded in judicial custody.
An official statement issued on Wednesday said that Coimbatore Superintendent of Police, Pavan Kumar, recommended action against the accused under the Goondas Act, following which District Collector G Girayappannavar classified the accused as “sex offenders” and issued arrest warrants against them under the law.
“Accordingly, Karthi and Mohan have been arrested under the provisions of the Goondas Act and are currently in jail,” it added.
Kumar warned that strict action would be taken under the Goondas Act against people who indulge in activities affecting public safety.
The case concerns the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl. The child’s body was found on the banks of Kannampalayam lake in Sollur near Coimbatore with visible physical injuries on May 22.
On May 23, district police arrested two people in connection with the crime.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay held a high-level review meeting at the state secretariat on May 25 with the chief secretary, home secretary and solicitor general in connection with the case.
He directed law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations into sexual crimes and instructed prosecutors to ensure prompt and deterrent punishments through speedy trials.
