Rape and Murder of Nine-Year-Old Sparks Outrage in Puducherry: Two Arrested, Special Investigation Team Formed

Protests erupted in Puducherry following the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl, leading to the arrest of two individuals, one of whom is 19 years old. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to handle the case, with assurances from the Puducherry Lt Governor that it will be tried in a special fast-track court.

The tragic incident drew hundreds to the girl’s funeral procession, as her body was discovered in a sack in a drain, days after she went missing. Police found her hands and legs tied with rope, initiating a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the SC/ST Act.

Residents, expressing outrage over perceived police inaction, claimed the suspects were known drug users. The girl’s parents had reported her disappearance on March 2, prompting a search operation that ended tragically with the discovery of her body near their home.

Puducherry’s Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor visited the grieving family, offering a compensation of ₹20 lakh and assuring swift justice through a fast-track court. Meanwhile, various groups staged protests demanding action, leading to calls for a statewide bandh by opposition parties.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the crime, highlighting the need for societal introspection in the face of such atrocities across the nation.