Coimbatore 10‑year‑old girl’s murder sparks protests, arrests in Tamil Nadu

A 10‑year‑old schoolgirl from the Kannampalayam village near Coimbatore went missing on the evening of 21 May 2026 while on a grocery errand. Her body was discovered the next day near the Kannampalayam tank in the Sulur area, prompting public outrage and protests.

Police arrested two suspects identified as Karthik, a 33‑year‑old daily‑wage worker from Nagapattinam who was known to the victim’s family, and his associate Mohanraj, 30. CCTV footage helped confirm their involvement. Karthik sustained fractures to his leg and hand while attempting to escape police custody. Both men have been remanded to judicial custody until 27 May.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay condemned the “inhuman and unforgivable” crime, promised a fast‑track probe, and directed that a chargesheet be filed promptly under the POCSO Act. The investigation involves five special teams and extensive CCTV analysis. Relatives and local residents staged a road blockade on Trichy Road outside the Sulur police station, demanding strict action; political leaders, including Sulur MLA N. M. Sukumar, visited the site and met the family.