A 10-year-old girl was found dead near Kannampalayam Lake in the Sulur area of Coimbatore district on Friday, days after she went missing while stepping out to buy groceries. The case has triggered sharp political criticism, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu demanding accountability from the state government over what it calls a deteriorating law and order situation.

What Happened

The child had gone out to purchase groceries near her home in Sulur on Thursday evening when she was allegedly abducted. Her body, bearing injuries, was recovered the following day near Kannampalayam Lake. Police have since arrested two accused — identified as Karthik and Mohan Raj — on charges of kidnapping and murder.

BJP's Criticism of the State Government

BJP Tamil Nadu Chief Spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy on Monday launched a pointed attack on the ruling administration, alleging that governance had not improved despite a change in government. 'Even though the government has changed, nothing has changed in terms of administration. A government is continuous, and the machinery should function properly. The system needs to be changed,' he said.

Thirupathy pressed further, questioning what concrete action had been taken in recent weeks. 'What steps have you taken in the last 10 or 15 days? Nothing is going to happen if we simply keep transferring police officers,' he alleged, adding that blame could not be placed on police personnel alone.

He also highlighted a backlog of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, arguing that both law enforcement agencies and the judicial system require structural reform. 'There are several POCSO cases still pending. The problem lies with the law enforcement agencies as well as the judicial system. Both need reforms,' he said.

Chief Minister Responds

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay responded to the incident via a post on social media platform X, expressing grief and signalling zero tolerance. 'The horrific incident that occurred yesterday involving a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore has caused immense grief and shock. Such inhuman and unforgivable criminal acts can never be tolerated in our society,' he posted.

Broader Pattern of Concern

Thirupathy alleged that crimes against women and children in Tamil Nadu continue unabated, citing liquor and drug abuse as contributing factors. This incident comes amid a wider national conversation about the pace of POCSO case adjudication and the adequacy of child safety infrastructure at the state level. Notably, delays in POCSO trials have been flagged by courts and child rights bodies across multiple states in recent years.

What Comes Next

With two accused in custody, investigators are expected to file a charge sheet under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. Political pressure from the BJP is likely to intensify scrutiny on the state's law enforcement response and the speed of judicial proceedings in this case.