Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has spoken over the phone to the family of a 10-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in Coimbatore, assuring them that justice will be delivered, according to the victim’s grandmother.

Speaking to reporters, she said the Chief Minister personally contacted the family and expressed his support.

“He spoke to us and assured justice. He also enquired about our well-being and whether we have a house. He said he was with us and asked us not to worry,” she said.

The horrific incident in the Sulur area of Coimbatore has triggered widespread shock and outrage across Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister Vijay had earlier promised strict action in the case amid strong criticism from opposition parties.

Police have arrested two men, including an acquaintance of the victim, in connection with the crime.

Background

A 10-year-old girl was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered in the Sulur area of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, triggering widespread outrage, protests and strong political reactions across the state.

The child went missing on the evening of Thursday, 21 May 2026, while she was reportedly playing outside her home or on her way to a nearby shop in Pallapalayam. Following a missing complaint lodged by her parents, police launched a search operation and reviewed CCTV footage from nearby areas.

Her body was recovered on Friday evening, 22 May 2026, near Kannampalayam lake, with visible injuries. 

The mother of the 10-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered in Coimbatore had said the family will not take possession of the child’s body from the mortuary until they receive a statement from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

“We will not take the body after post-mortem from the mortuary until we get any statement from CM Joseph Vijay. We voted for change. Now he is not even giving a statement or assurance. This shows there will be no change from the government also,” she said.

Her remarks were made on 23 May, as public anger continued to grow over the brutal killing in the Sulur area of Coimbatore. The family had been demanding a clear response and assurance of action from the Chief Minister amid mounting political pressure and widespread outrage over the case.