THOOTHUKUDI: While the family members of the 17-year-old girl, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances on March 11, remain stern on their demand of receiving the body only after the arrest of the suspects, the district police have alleged that non-cooperation from the kin and the villagers has hampered the progress of the investigation.
On Tuesday evening in Vedanatham, the teenager, who had stepped out to attend nature's call, did not return to her house and was found dead the following day. The search efforts were delayed as the complaints filed with the Kulathur police station and Vilathikulam All Women Police Station were allegedly treated with a lack of seriousness.
In connection with the incident, Vilathikulam AWPS Inspector V P Praveena was suspended on Thursday. The person missing case has been altered to one of suspicious murder. The autopsy report indicated a severe fracture in the neck bone, suggesting that the victim was strangled to death. However, the postmortem examination could not confirm sexual assault, and the doctors at the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital have sent samples for laboratory analysis.
Personnel privy to the investigation told TNIE that movements of the suspects were difficult to trace because only 15 CCTV cameras were installed in the village. The police are recovering data from the smartphone used by the victim and are analysing her social media accounts for clues.
A police officer said the family members could not be questioned as they were staging protests with the villagers. "If the parents identify anyone suspicious, it will provide us with a strong lead. However, there is no cooperation," he said, accusing them of agitating if anybody is summoned for an inquiry.
A senior officer told TNIE that the police, based on the call detail record (CDR), have so far investigated 40 people, predominantly in the 18-30 age group, including five family members. The investigators have narrowed the suspects down to five to six persons, including a juvenile in conflict with the law, he said.
Another officer said the evidence collected from the spot must match the medical reports and technical data for an arrest to be made. The autopsy report contradicted the parents' claim that the girl had left the house to attend the nature's call, the officer said. "We are continuing to gather evidence and question suspects, despite a lack of cooperation. The suspect is likely to be a resident of the village. However, an arrest can be made only after we receive the lab test reports," the police officer added.