TN govt announces Rs 3 lakh relief to kin of sexual assault

The Tamil Nadu government Wednesday announced a relief of Rs three lakh to the family of a seven-year-old girl from Coimbatore, who was allegedly sexually abused and murdered by a man. Chief Minister K Palaniswami recalled that one person has been arrested in connection with "this heinous incident." Expressing grief over the child's death, Palaniswami said he has directed the police officials to ensure due legal punishment for the accused.

Extending his sympathies and condolences with the family of the deceased, he said in a statement that "I have directed that a sum of Rs three lakh be provided to them from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund." The girl, who went missing on March 24, was found dead near her house the following day, with her limbs tied. The postmortem report revealed she was subjected to sexual assault more than once.

The incident had caused a state-wide outrage, even as a man identified as Santhosh, was arrested for alleged sexual assault and murder of the minor victim.