The Kerala police arrested a 22-year-old man named Arjun for allegedly raping and killing a 6-year-old girl, daughter of tea plantation labourers in Vandiperiyar. The incident happened on June 30 when the girl’s parents went out for work at the plantation. Arjun, who was their neighbour, had the freedom to visit their house any time. Using the opportunity, Arjun has been sexually abusing the child for over years. When the child went unconscious on the day of the incident, Arjun assumed she was dead and he hanged her in the room to hide the crime. The victim was found hanging inside the room by her brother who arrived home by 3 pm. While the entire village was chilled by the incident, Arjun pretended to be a mourner and even took part in the girl’s funeral and acted emotionally over her death.

Though the Police registered a case on unnatural death, the autopsy report revealed that the child was raped and then strangled to death. Subsequently, people in the neighbourhood were questioned. The kid's parents said that Arjun used to often play with the child. As there were discrepancies in Arjun's statement, the Police were suspicious. During the interrogation, Arjun confessed to having done the crime. The incident has sent shockwaves across the state.