A day after the rape and murder of a 17-year-old Dalit girl near Karur, the police picked up nine suspects, but have not made any breakthrough.
The police have formed 12 special teams, each headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
While the team led by the Kulithalai DSP has been entrusted with the investigation, the other teams are charged with collecting intelligence, analysing cell phone details, interrogating the suspects, analysing the crime scene and working with forensic experts.
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“Investigators have so far picked up nine suspects and are interrogating them,” S. Rajeswari, Superintendent of Police, Tiruchi, and in-charge of Karur district, told
“The teams are vigorously pursuing the clues and getting them corroborated,” said Ms. Rajeswari, who is camping in Karur district to monitor the probe.
One of the teams analysed the scene — a betel farm at K. Pichampatty village, where the body was found. The investigators have taken into possession the dress worn by the girl and her footwear.
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Although the teams have gathered some clues, nothing tangible has come out for the investigators to zero in on the accused, police sources say.
The Mayanur police have filed a case on a complaint by the victim’s father Ponnusamy under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC and Sections 5 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Directive to SHOsThe State police headquarters has instructed the Station House Officers (SHOs) to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to expedite trial in such cases. The court order has been sent to all Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police, who have been told to circulate it among the SHOs.