A three-year-old girl, daughter of a couple from Bihar, succumbed to her injuries after she was subjected to penetrative sexual assault allegedly by a 19-year-old man from Bihar, near Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district. 

Police sources said the girl’s parents work at a steel company in the SIPCOT industrial estate. The accused was employed at the same firm, lived in the couple’s neighbourhood, and was known to them. The 19-year-old would often play with the child.

On Sunday (June 14, 2026) night, the girl was playing with other children on the street near Gummidipoondi, while her parents were at home. The accused allegedly took her to a nearby shop on the pretext of buying her chocolates and committed penetrative sexual assault on her at a secluded spot around 8 p.m., the police said.

A passerby who witnessed the incident alerted residents in the area, prompting a crowd to gather at the scene. The accused attempted to escape but was apprehended by members of the public. Upon reaching the spot, SIPCOT police took him into custody and arrested him.

The girl was was admitted to the government hospital at Kottakarai before being shifted to the Government Stanley Hospital. She succumbed to her injuries on Monday (June 15) morning without responding to treatment. 

A case was registered under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. After being arrested, the accused was taken to a court for remand. Further investigation is under way.