25 May 2026 :

A POCSO court in Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu) on May 25, 2026 awarded double death sentence to a 38-year-old man convicted in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl from Vilathikulam. Police identified the accused as Dharma Muneeswaran alias Maveeran.
The girl had gone missing in March 2026, following which Kulathur police registered a case that was later altered to charges of rape and murder under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act provisions.
Police said the case was initially a blind investigation with no clues.
Ten special teams were formed and CCTV analysis helped identify a two-wheeler linked to the accused. DNA evidence later confirmed his involvement.
Police filed the chargesheet within 21 days and the trial concluded in 54 days.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) is a legislation in India aimed at preventing and prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse. The Parliament of India passed the POCSO bill on 22 May 2012.