Chennai Man Lured Minor via Instagram, Arrested

A swift response by a vigilant neighbor led to the rescue of a 13-year-old girl in Chennai who was allegedly lured and sexually assaulted by a 27-year-old man. The sound engineer had befriended the Class VIII student on Instagram and convinced her to visit his Virugambakkam residence on December 4.

Suspicious when the girl entered the man's apartment, the neighbor alerted the victim's mother. Gaining entry, the neighbor found the minor inside a bathroom and immediately notified the police. The Virugambakkam police took the suspect into custody.

The rescued minor has been placed under the care of child helpline volunteers, and the Child Welfare Committee has been informed. The accused has been charged under stringent sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012, related to sexual assault and harassment.