Crimes against children in Tamil Nadu have witnessed a disturbing 61% surge over the last three years under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. As official National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data paints a grim picture, serious questions are being raised about governance, law and order, and the state’s ability to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

With horrifying incidents making headlines and a severe shortage of fast-track judicial infrastructure, the crisis has snowballed into a major political and social flashpoint ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The Data: A Steady Climb in Child Exploitation

According to NCRB data, the number of crimes against minors has steadily increased every year since the DMK assumed power, moving away from the 4,338 cases recorded in 2020 under the previous AIADMK administration.

Year-by-Year Breakdown of Cases:

The Chilling Reality Behind the Numbers

The statistics hide incredibly disturbing individual tragedies. Over the first three years of the DMK government:

• 217 children were murdered across the state.
• 7 of these victims were sexually assaulted before being killed.
• 28 infants were killed, proving that infanticide, a crime authorities claimed to have eradicated, still persists.
• 67 children were murdered in 2023 alone.

While the ruling government argues that the rising numbers reflect better reporting and increased awareness, opposition parties and child rights activists argue that awareness alone cannot account for such a steep and consistent spike.

The Krishnagiri Horrors: A Breaking Point

The public debate over child safety reached a boiling point following two highly publicized and horrifying incidents in the Krishnagiri district.

1. The Anchetti Tragedy

The brutal sexual assault and murder of a two-and-a-half-year-old girl in Anchetti triggered widespread outrage. Police arrested Kalaignar (alias M. Periyanayagam), a man investigators linked to a local unit of the DMK youth wing. The accused reportedly knew the child’s family. This arrest has turned the tragedy into a political firestorm, with opposition leaders questioning accountability and the alleged involvement of individuals connected to the ruling party.

2. The Fake NCC Camp

In another massive security failure near Bargur, a man named Sivaraman entered a private school under the guise of conducting a National Cadet Corps (NCC) training camp. Investigators allege he used this fabricated camp as a cover to sexually assault several schoolgirls. The glaring lack of background checks, the school’s alleged delay in reporting the crime, and the suspect’s subsequent death in police custody have severely shaken public confidence in institutional safety nets.

Root Causes: Substance Abuse and Weakened Defenses

Activists and political critics point to deteriorating social conditions as a catalyst for the surge in violence against minors.

• Proliferation of Drugs and Alcohol: The easy availability of alcohol and narcotic substances, specifically ganja, near educational institutions and residential areas has been heavily criticized.
• Failure of Deterrence: Critics argue the administration has failed to dismantle local narcotics networks, leaving children increasingly vulnerable to offenders under the influence of illegal substances.

Justice Delayed: The POCSO Court Crisis

The tragedy of the rising crime rate is compounded by a sluggish justice system. Currently, nearly 60% of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Tamil Nadu remain pending.

Despite a 2019 Supreme Court directive mandating special courts in districts with over 100 pending POCSO cases, Tamil Nadu’s judicial infrastructure has lagged:

• The state currently operates only 14 dedicated POCSO courts.
• Many districts are forced to route child abuse cases through general Mahila courts or fast-track courts, slowing down the trial process and traumatizing victims further.
• In April 2025, Law Minister S. Regupathy announced plans to establish 14 additional special courts in phases, though critics argue this move is years too late.

What Lies Ahead for Tamil Nadu?

The DMK government maintains that it is taking strict, impartial action against all offenders, regardless of their political affiliations. However, the combination of rising crime rates, systemic judicial delays, and horrifying local failures has put immense pressure on the ruling party.

As Tamil Nadu edges closer to its next Assembly elections, the safety of its children has moved from a background administrative issue to a central pillar of political accountability. The numbers are clear; the question remains whether the system can adapt fast enough to protect its youngest citizens.