A three-year-old girl has died after rape in the Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nādu, raising an alarm for the Vijay-led TVK government over the safety of women in the state. The accused has been identified as a migrant from Bihar and has been arrested by the police. The toddler was found in serious condition by a villager and was shifted to a hospital. However, she succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment. Crime against women was a major talking point during the assembly election campaign and has continued to dominate public discourse.

What Happened On That Day

Indumathi, a resident of the area, said the child had been playing near her home. A man came in and offered her biscuits and took her with him. The toddler was later found abandoned in the bushes by a woman who had gone there for some work. After finding the child, she realized that her condition was serious and took her to the hospital.

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The cops have registered a complaint under the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Following the child's death, murder charges are likely to be invoked as well.

CM Vijay Faces Criticism

Following the incident, DMK leader launched a scathing attack on TKS Elangovan, calling for stringent punishment for offenders and stronger government intervention. "The government should be strict on these incidents. Punishment should be severe. This is a social issue. The government should concentrate on it," he said, while also alleging that several recent cases have involved members or functionaries of the ruling TVK.

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Shortly after assuming the chief minister's office, Vijay announced the formation of a special women's safety force, "Singappenn," aimed at strengthening measures to protect women and girls. The initiative was formally launched a few days ago.

As per the latest crime records, over 1.77 lakh cases of crimes against children had been recorded across the country in 2023 alone. Of these, more than 67,000 cases, or 38.2 per cent were registered under the stringent POCSO Act. The latest tragedy is likely to intensify scrutiny of the government's efforts to curb crimes against women and children and ensure swift justice for victims.