The TVK and Joseph Vijay promised a safe haven for women and children but as the days go, this promise seems to have been written in air. Despite the formation of the much-anticipated Singappen Special Force, Tamil Nadu, especially they capital city Chennai is witnessing a growing number of cases of sexual violence against women and children. A whopping 12 cases were filed within just 24 hours in the city.
In a deeply unsettling spate of violence, a three-year-old girl was raped and murdered, while seven other minor girls and four women were sexually assaulted across Chennai and its neighboring districts within a single 24-hour period since Sunday, 14 June 2026, police confirmed.
As reported in Times of India, the youngest victim, the daughter of migrant workers from Bihar, was attacked on Sunday evening in Gummidipoondi, Tiruvallur district. Police identified the accused as 19-year-old Bibin Manjhi, also a native of Bihar, who was a frequent visitor to the child’s home. According to investigators, Manjhi, who was reportedly in an inebriated state, approached the toddler around 5 pm as she played near her residence. Luring her with the promise of buying snacks, he led her to an isolated spot, where he raped her and subsequently abandoned her in the bushes.
When the child failed to return home, her parents and neighbors launched a frantic search. After several hours, they discovered her with grievous injuries. A local resident came forward stating he had seen the child in Manjhi’s company. Enraged villagers apprehended the suspect as he attempted to flee and physically assaulted him before handing him over to the police, who later formally arrested him.
The girl was rushed to a government hospital, where an official reported she was in a state of shock and suffering from respiratory distress. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries at approximately 7 am on Monday, 15 June 2026.
In a parallel and alarming surge of crimes against women and children, 11 other cases of sexual assault were registered across Chennai and its outskirts including Avadi, Tambaram, and Tiruvallur over the same 24-hour period. Of these, seven victims were minors.
In Manimangalam, a migrant worker from West Bengal was accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl on Sunday (14 June 2026) night.
In Kattupakkam, a 40-year-old neighbor was taken into custody for the sexual abuse of a six-year-old girl.
In a separate incident in Tiruvallur, an autorickshaw driver was arrested for sexually assaulting a Class VII student.
Elsewhere, in Mylapore, a 26-year-old man was apprehended for making indecent gestures toward a 12-year-old girl who was home alone.
In Perambur, a 23-year-old was arrested for harassing a 17-year-old schoolgirl.
In Ambattur, two men were detained for assaulting two minor girls.
Adult women were not spared from the violence. In Mangadu, a security guard was arrested for raping a 23-year-old woman with mental disabilities after leading her to a secluded spot.
In Porur, a 29-year-old man on a motorcycle sexually assaulted a woman walking along the road on Sunday night.
In Koyambedu, a 26-year-old security guard was taken into custody for sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman at her residence early Monday.
At a busy mall on Anna Salai, in the heart of Chennai, a 41-year-old man was arrested for sexually harassing a 38-year-old woman inside an elevator on Sunday. Police confirmed that suspects have been apprehended in all cases.
The relentless violence has sparked outrage and fear in local communities. On Monday, neighbors of the deceased three-year-old staged a road roko protest, demanding enhanced safety measures for children. In response, Tiruvallur police held talks with the demonstrators, assuring them that a detailed and thorough investigation was underway.
Residents, particularly in migrant worker settlements, voiced deep concern over the vulnerability of children, noting that many parents leave for work early in the morning and return only late in the evening. They have urged law enforcement to strengthen security protocols and increase patrolling in the area to prevent further tragedies.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
