After nearly a week of investigation with analysing CCTV and the Tower Dump method, a man has been arrested by Tamil Nadu Police in connection with the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Thoothukudi.
Police said the accused has a history of multiple offences.
The incident dates back to March 11, when the body of the girl, who had earlier been reported missing, was recovered in the district. Forensic teams confirmed death by strangulation.
The shocking nature of the crime triggered protests by locals, who demanded the immediate arrest of the accused. Following court intervention, the protest was withdrawn, but locals continued to insist on swift action.
Addressing the media, Madhan, superintendent of police, said, "Ten special teams were formed immediately after the incident came to light. One accused has been arrested. The investigation is being carried out based on scientific evidence. Fingerprints and other crucial evidence were collected from the crime scene."
He further added, "Separate teams were formed to analyse 98 CCTV footages and 2,574 phone numbers using the tower dump method. Information on history sheeters across districts was collected and monitored, and individuals were interrogated. Around 461 suspects were ruled out based on evidence. Local villagers were also cleared after verification through witnesses and evidence.
Police said there were no cameras near the scene of the crime.
The crucial breakthrough came not from the crime scene, but from a windmill camera located some distance away. Footage captured a suspicious two-wheeler passing through around the time of the crime. This visual clue helped investigators reconnect with the abandoned vehicle.
Technical analysis revealed that the bike's registration number had been tampered with and it was in fact a stolen vehicle linked to a case in Parthibanoor.
The turning point came when technical evidence, CCTV clues, and field intelligence converged on a single profile, that of a recently released convict.
The suspect, identified as Maveeran alias Dharma Muneeswaran, had earlier been convicted in a sexual assault case and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022. His sentence was later suspended by the Madras High Court, and he was released in December 2025.
The accused has reportedly confessed to the crime. Investigators say there was no prior connection between the accused and the victim, and sexual gratification was the sole motive.
Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Vijayendra Bidari described the case as a breakthrough in a highly challenging investigation.
"This blind case was detected as an outcome of meticulous and scientific investigation. Police will make all efforts to expeditiously prosecute him in the current case," he told NDTV.
Meanwhile, political reactions have emerged, with K Annamalai questioning the delay in identifying the accused. He also raised concerns over how a person with a criminal history was not effectively monitored by law enforcement.
The case comes amid a spike in crimes against women, with the opposition accusing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of failing to ensure safety. The government, however, maintains that strict action and fast-tracked trials are leading to higher conviction rates.
