Overview
- DMK MP Kanimozhi met the bereaved family in Vilathikulam and said the government would not shield anyone, noting a post‑mortem report is pending and 10 special teams are on the case after relatives alleged police delay and protested.
- The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court called for a scientific investigation, cautioned against wrongful inclusion of suspects, and asked the government to file a counter‑affidavit by March 16 on a plea seeking a CBI transfer.
- A police inspector has been suspended over initial lapses in the case, as local anger over the handling of the missing‑person complaint fuels pressure on investigators.
- AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced a state‑wide protest on March 17 accusing the DMK of failing to protect women, building on attacks from NDA allies and TVK’s Vijay over recent violent crimes.
- The DMK rebutted the narrative through Minister S. Regupathy, citing higher case registration, women’s employment and education levels, and conviction rates, while reports detailed other incidents including an alleged rape of a 14‑year‑old near Madurantakam and a college student’s abduction in Chennai.