Trichy: Boy, 14, murders girl, 9, after sexual assault bid

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TRICHY: A nine-year-old girl, who was found with severe injuries on her head in a jasmine farm at Krishnasamudram near Manapparai, died at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Trichy on Sunday midnight, following which police arrested a 14-year-old boy on charges of attempting to sexually assault her and fatally attacking her with a stone.

The girl was found unconscious in the farm near her house on Sunday afternoon with severe injuries on the back of her head. She was rushed to the government headquarters hospital in Manapparai and later shifted to MGMGH for critical care treatment. However, her health condition worsened and she died. The victim was a Class III student in a government school in the area.

The all women police station in Manapparai investigated the incident. It emerged that a 14-year-old neighbour of the girl was the first to inform people in the area about the victim lying unconscious. The needle of suspicion pointed to the boy as police didn’t have any clue about the accused. When they inquired with him, he gave contradictory statements. Further inquiry confirmed his role in the murder.Police said the boy was studying in Class IX in the school where the girl studied. He had forced the victim to come with him to the jasmine farm and once they reached the spot, he attempted to sexually assault her, though the girl resisted his advances and beat him.

In a fit of rage, the boy hit her on the back of her head with a stone several times and she fell unconscious. Later, he returned home. Police recovered the blood-stained clothes of the boy who had abandoned them near the spot where he tried to sexually assault the girl. He acted as if he had no idea about the incident, though investigation disclosed the truth, said police.

Superintendent of police Zia ul Haque said police booked the boy for murder under IPC and sexual harassment under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

The juvenile was arrested and sent to a government observation home.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)