4-year-old girl killed in Chennai, body dumped in bucket; police suspect sexual assault

On learning that their 4-year-old daughter was missing, the parents frantically searched in the vicinity of their Thirumullaivoyal residence, near Avadi in Chennai. The mother had left the little girl home-alone for a while as she had to leave her 7-year old son at a nearby tuition class on Thursday evening.

On returning home and not finding their daughter, a complaint was filed in the nearby Thirumullaivoyal Police Station.

Later, a rice sack that was stuffed in a bucket of water was found in their bathroom. The girl was murdered and the body was stuffed into a sack bearing the name of a rice company. Based on the preliminary investigation, the police suspect that she was sexually assaulted before being murdered. The crime had taken place when her father was away at work and her mother and sibling were at the tuition class.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Senior police officials visited the house and examined the crime scene. Forensic experts collected samples from the girl's body and from the house.

On questioning the residents in the area, they claimed to have seen a neighbour, who is also related to the family, to have been near the house when the girl was left alone. The person in question is a 60-year old who is an ex-serviceman.

The police have detained him for questioning. The girl's body is said to have borne blood stains and has been sent for post-mortem at the Government General Hospital; the results are awaited.