MADURAI: A POCSO court in Thoothukudi on Monday awarded double death sentence to a 38-year-old man convicted in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl from Vilathikulam. Police identified the accused as Dharmamuneeswaran alias Maveeran. The girl had gone missing in March 2026, following which Kulathur police registered a case that was later altered to charges of rape and murder under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act provisions.Police said the case was initially a blind investigation with no clues. Ten special teams were formed and CCTV analysis helped identify a two-wheeler linked to the accused. DNA evidence later confirmed his involvement. Police filed the chargesheet within 21 days and the trial concluded in 54 days.
