Thoothukudi Schoolgirl Murder: Accused Sentenced to Death in Swift Trial
In Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, a special POCSO court sentenced 38-year-old Dharma Muneeswaran to death on two counts for the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in March 2026. The victim went missing on March 10 and was found murdered the next day. Following public protests over police inaction, Muneeswaran was arrested after a week-long manhunt. The trial concluded in 54 days with 71 witnesses and DNA evidence. The death sentence has been referred to the Madras High Court for confirmation.
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Thoothukudi Schoolgirl Sexual Assault and Murder Case: Death Sentence Referred to High Court
The death sentence awarded to Dharma Muneeswaran by a Special POCSO Act court in Thoothukudi for the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old Class XII schoolgirl has been referred to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court for confirmation. The convict appeared via video conference from Madurai Central Prison and informed a Division Bench of Justices N. Anand Venkatesh and K.K. Ramakrishnan that he had engaged a lawyer to file an appeal. The court posted the matter for hearing on June 12. The girl went missing on March 10, 2026, near a scrub forest close to her home in Vedanatham, and was found murdered the next day. Her family and villagers protested, accusing local police of delayed response. Muneeswaran was arrested on March 19 and sentenced to death on May 25.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Thoothukudi schoolgirl sexual assault and murder case: Man gets death penalty on two counts
A special POCSO court in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, sentenced 38-year-old Dharma Muneeswaran to death on two counts for the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in March 2026. The girl went missing near her home on March 10 and was found murdered the next day. The trial, which examined 71 witnesses and presented extensive evidence, concluded in 54 days. The court awarded two death sentences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. Police officials praised the swift investigation, which used CCTV analysis and DNA matching to identify the accused. The case had sparked public protests over initial police inaction.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Thoothukudi schoolgirl sexual assault and murder case: Man gets death penalty on two counts
A special POCSO court in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, sentenced 38-year-old Dharma Muneeswaran to death on two counts for the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in March 2026. The girl went missing from a scrub forest near her home on March 10 and was found murdered the next day. Following public protests and a week-long manhunt, Muneeswaran was arrested on March 19. The trial concluded in 54 days, with 71 witnesses examined and DNA evidence confirming his involvement. The court imposed two death sentences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and one year imprisonment under the POCSO Act. Inspector General Vijayendra Bidari praised the swift investigation and verdict, stating it restores faith in the criminal justice system.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Thoothukudi schoolgirl sexual assault and murder case: Man gets death penalty on two counts
A special POCSO court in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, sentenced 38-year-old Dharma Muneeswaran to death on two counts for the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in March 2026. The girl went missing near her home on March 10 and was found murdered the next day. The trial was completed in 54 days, with 71 witnesses examined and DNA evidence confirming the accused's involvement. The court awarded two death penalties under the BNS and POCSO Act. Police officials hailed the swift verdict, noting that ten special teams were formed and the charge sheet was filed in 21 days.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Thoothukudi Schoolgirl Sexual Assault and Murder: Accused Sentenced to Death
On May 25, 2026, a special POCSO court in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, sentenced 38-year-old Dharma Muneeswaran to death on two counts for the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl. The crime occurred in March 2026 in a village under Kulathur police jurisdiction. The victim went missing on March 10 from a scrub forest near her home and was found murdered the next day. Following public protests over police inaction, Muneeswaran was arrested on March 19 after a week-long manhunt aided by scientific evidence and analysis of surveillance footage from surrounding areas. The verdict was delivered by II Additional District Judge M. Breetha, imposing double death penalties under the POCSO Act.
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