Man from West Bengal held after 2 weeks in Tamil Nadu minor rape case: Sources

Nearly two weeks after the alleged kidnap and rape of a 10-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district, police have arrested a man from West Bengal in connection with the case, according to sources.

The incident occurred on July 12 in Arambakkam, when the child was on her way to her grandmother’s house. Police teams are now working to obtain confirmation of his identity from the survivor, either in person or via digital means.

According to sources, the suspect was working at a roadside dhaba in Sulurpet and had travelled by train before committing the crime. India Today TV, which visited the crime spot, reported that the man had been loitering near the back entrance of a mango farm, where he waited for the girl. The path between two mango farms, lined with tall trees, dry leaves, and known to have snakes, was where the child had been walking alone when the suspect began to follow her.

CCTV footage from the vicinity captured the girl walking on the road before being approached by the man, who then covered her mouth and abducted her.

Prior to the abduction, the suspect had reportedly displayed suspicious behaviour towards a woman who was waiting for a relative to pick her up. Once inside the mango farm, he allegedly beat the child several times, bit her, and raped her. Despite being assaulted repeatedly, the child made several attempts to escape.

During the assault, the suspect received phone calls, with the ringtone reportedly sounding like a Hindi song. Taking advantage of the distraction, the minor managed to flee.

In a remarkable act of presence of mind, the survivor then noticed another girl approaching and stopped her, possibly preventing another assault. Both children escaped the area.

The survivor returned home and informed her grandmother, who immediately filed a complaint with the Arambakkam police. Police confirmed that the child had received medical treatment and is now in stable condition.

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