Chennai: A married couple was arrested on Friday in neighbouring Chengalpattu under the Pocso Act, for sexually harassing a four-year-old child.
The incident came to light when the child's mother noticed severe bruises and bite marks on her. The child and her parents who are daily wagers, lived in a tent along the roadside on GST road. While the parents were away for work, the child was taken care of by some of the neighbours, who also lived in tents.
Recently, the mother also noticed that the child very often looked exhausted and tired. Despite all this, she could not relate it to sexual harassment. When questioned, the child also said nothing, sources added.
On Friday, the mother took the child to a doctor to treat the bruises on her body. The doctor who examined the child quickly figured out the issue, and told the mother that her daughter had been sexually abused by someone.
The mother immediately rushed to the Chengalpattu police station and lodged a complaint. As police started investigations, they began suspecting a couple identified as Manoharan (58) and wife Chandra (52), who lived nearby.
They were arrested and taken for investigations, but they denied involvement in the case.
However, the child gave a first-person detailed account of the incident, following which they confessed to the crime. The case was then transferred to the Chengalpattu all-women police station, where the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act was slapped on the accused. They were remanded in judicial custody.
