CB-CID wing in Cuddalore arrests two absconding accused in POCSO Act case

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The Crime Branch-CID police in Cuddalore arrested two persons, including a woman, who had been absconding for nearly eight years after being convicted by a Mahila Court in the district for trafficking two minor girls and forcing them into sex work.

According to the CB-CID police, Sathishkumar, the prime accused in the case, was arrested by a special team from Coimbatore on March 18, 2025, where he was employed in a private company, while Tamizharasi alias Kavitha was arrested on March 19, 2025, in Tiruvannamalai, where she worked as a domestic worker.

The case pertained to the trafficking of two minor girls for sexual exploitation and forced prostitution in various locations in 2014. It was booked under Sections 342 and 363, read with 34, of the Indian Pena Code (IPC) and Sections 3(2)(b) and 4(1) of the Immoral Traffic (Prohibition) Act, 1956. The case also invoked Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

The case, which was initially investigated by the Tittagudi police, was transferred to the CB-CID on the directions of the Madras High Court. After the completion of investigation, a charge sheet was filed before the Mahila Court in Cuddalore, which convicted 16 accused, with sentences ranging from four life sentences to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

During the course of the trial, two of the accused died and three absconded. Non-Bailable warrants (NBW) was pending against the three accused, including Jebina, Sathishkumar, and Tamizharasi.

While Jebina was arrested in 2024, and the other two accused went absconding for eight years.

Following directions from T.S. Anbu, Inspector General of Police, (CB-CID), and D. Shanmugapriya, Superintendent of Police (CB-CID), Central Zone, Chennai, a special team was formed under the supervision of P. Sukumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, CB-CID, Villupuram Range.

The team headed by J. Balamurugan, Inspector of Police, CB-CID, Cuddalore, arrested the duo. They were produced before the POCSO court in Cuddalore and lodged in the Cuddalore Central Prison.