A Class 12 student from Vedanatham near Vilathikulam in Thoothukudi district went missing on March 10. The next day, she was found dead in a nearby forest area, with her clothes removed, and police registered a murder case.
Following the incident, the student’s relatives, villagers and representatives of various political parties staged protests demanding the swift arrest of those responsible. The agitation was withdrawn after Collector Ilambagavath assured action.
However, even after five days, no arrests have been made, leading to growing dissatisfaction among the family and local residents. Law and Order ADGP Maheshwar Dayal is camping in the district and monitoring the investigation.
Police officials said 10 special teams have been formed and more than 20 people have been questioned. They added that questioning the victim’s close friends and classmates has been difficult, as some parents have refused cooperation and asked police not to visit repeatedly.
Investigators said they examined migrant workers and outsiders on suspicion, but did not get complete information. With no CCTV footage available in the rural area and no useful leads from analysis of the student’s phone and her friends’ phones, police also probed whether women using the forest area had faced earlier sexual harassment. A man around 45 has come under suspicion, but officials said there is no evidence placing him at the forest on the day of the crime. Meanwhile, reports say the family continues to refuse to receive the body and may plan further protests.
