A sexual assault case involving a young girl in North Chennai has triggered a political confrontation in Tamil Nadu, with DMK president M K Stalin targeting Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and demanding more action to protect women and children.
The case was reported from Thiruvottiyur in north Chennai, where a migrant worker from Bihar was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Rahul lived in the same locality as the child's family, said police.
This incident was brought to light after a medical examination.
Police said the alleged sexual assault came to light after the child had health problems and was taken to a hospital. A medical examination found that she had been sexually abused.
Police arrested him and booked him under the POCSO Act, the law that deals with sexual offences against children.
There were also reports that other migrant workers were questioned in connection with the incident. But police sources denied that multiple people had sexually assaulted the child and said their investigation had identified one primary accused.
Police Investigation Underway
The accused tried to escape when police tried to take him into custody, but local residents caught him, the police said. Police subsequently took him into custody and started investigating the case.
Two other workers who were staying with the accused were also questioned to determine whether they had any knowledge of the alleged offence or had assisted him.
The survivor was taken for medical treatment and police continued their investigation under the POCSO framework.
🚔 Swift action! A migrant worker has been immediately arrested under the POCSO Act for the sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl. The victim girl reported to her parents experiencing difficulty in urination a few days after the incident. Further, she identified the accused, who was residing in the nearby locality. Legal actions are underway to send him to judicial custody. 🚔🚨 ⚠️ Strict Warning: Publishing, broadcasting, uploading, sharing, or circulating any video, image, or identity of the affected child in this case is a severely punishable offense under the law. 🚫❌ 📍 H8 திருவொற்றியூர் அனைத்து மகளிர் காவல் நிலையம், சென்னை 5 வயது சிறுமிக்கு பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்த வடமாநில இளைஞர் போக்சோ (POCSO) சட்டத்தின் கீழ் உடனடியாகக் கைது செய்யப்பட்டு, நீதிமன்ற காவலுக்கு அனுப்ப தீவிர நடவடிக்கை. சம்பவம் நடந்த சில நாட்களுக்குப் பிறகு, சிறுநீர் கழிப்பதில் சிரமம் இருப்பதாக பாதிக்கப்பட்ட சிறுமி தனது பெற்றோரிடம் தெரிவித்தார். மேலும், அருகில் வசித்து வந்த குற்றஞ்சாட்டப்பட்ட நபரை அச்சிறுமி அடையாளம் காட்டினார். 🚔🚨 ⚠️ முக்கிய எச்சரிக்கை: இவ்வழக்கில் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட சிறுமியின் அடையாளம், புகைப்படம் அல்லது காணொளிகளைப் பரப்புவது, பகிர்வது மற்றும் பதிவேற்றுவது சட்டப்படி கடுமையான தண்டனைக்குரிய குற்றமாகும். 🚫❌ #ChennaiPolice #POCSO #Thiruvotriyur #CrimeNews #Swiftaction
— GREATER CHENNAI POLICE -GCP (@chennaipolice_) October 7, 2026
Stalin Targets Vijay Government
The incident has also become a political issue in Tamil Nadu.
M K Stalin, former chief minister and DMK president, criticised the state government's control over law and order and said the administration had failed to provide adequate safety for women and children.
Stalin called on the Chief Minister Vijay to move away from what he described as “film shooting mode” and focus on governance and public safety. He also questioned whether the state's special women's safety initiatives were effectively preventing crimes against women and children.
Political debate over Women's Safety.
The case comes amid a wider political discussion in Tamil Nadu on law and order and the safety of women and children.
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi also expressed concern over the incident and called for medical and legal assistance for the survivor and strict action against those responsible. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss also demanded stiff punishment.
The investigation continues and due legal proceedings will be taken to trial by the accused. As the case involves a child, authorities will protect the survivor's identity and must do so in accordance with the law.
