The special court for POCSO Act cases in Thoothukudi on Monday (May 25, 2026) sentenced Dharma Muneeswaran, 38, of Sayalkudi, to death on two counts after convicting him in the sexual assault and murder case of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in the district.

The crime had occurred in March 2026 in a village that falls under the Kulathur police jurisdiction.

The girl had gone missing in a scrub forest area around 250 metres from her residence on the evening of March 10, and was found murdered on March 11. The Kulathur police had recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem examination to the Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital.

Following the incident, the victim’s parents, relatives, and villagers staged a protest, demanding the arrest of the accused and action against the Kulathur and Vilathikulam police for allegedly failing to act in a timely manner.

After a week-long hunt for the accused, Munneswaran was arrested on March 19 in connection with crime.

Then Superintendent of Police of Thoothukudi district C. Madhan had said that evidence leading to Muneeswaran was gathered through scientific investigation.

The police said that with no CCTV cameras available in the vicinity of the scene of the crime, a detailed analysis of surveillance footage from surrounding areas and far-off places played a crucial role in tracing the perpetrator.

The case was tried before the special court for POCSO Act cases. M. Breetha, II Additional District Judge, delivered the verdict, sentencing the accused to double death penalties.