India
Migrant Worker Arrested in Tamil Nadu Rape Case, DMK Leader Calls for Action
A 26‑year‑old migrant worker from Bihar, identified as Rahul, was arrested for allegedly raping a five‑year‑old girl from Uttar Pradesh in north Chennai’s Thiruvottiyur, police said on Wednesday. The assault was discovered after the child was taken to a hospital following complaints of difficulty urinating and a subsequent medical examination. Rahul was charged under the POCSO Act. Police also detained several other migrant workers who were accused of helping him escape custody. A senior officer denied media reports that the girl was gang‑raped.
The incident has sparked a political row. Pattali Makkal Katchi chief Dr Anbumani Ramadoss demanded that the Tamil Nadu police arrest all those involved and seek the maximum punishment, including the death penalty, for the crime. He said the accused took advantage of the parents’ absence due to work.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief MK Stalin said Tamil Nadu is “soaked in blood” and that people do not feel safe. He urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to step out of “film shooting mode” and act, questioning whether the Singappen special force, which he said is more interested in filming reels, is devoted to ensuring women’s safety. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi expressed shock and asked what steps the government has taken to prevent violence against children and women, adding that the affected child must receive appropriate medical and legal assistance and that perpetrators must face strict punishment as per the law.