DMK ex-MLA held for rape, murder of minor maid

Former DMK legislator from the Perambalur constituency, M Rajkumar, was arrested on Friday in connection with the alleged rape and murder of his minor domestic help.

The arrest followed a police complaint filed by the 15-year-old girl’s father.

Rajkumar, along with three others arrested for their alleged involvement in the case, were remanded to judicial custody at the Tiruchirappalli central jail, Perambalur District Police officials told Deccan Herald. They were charged with IPC sections 366(A) (kidnap of a minor), 376 (rape) and 302 (murder), among others.

The victim from the Peermedu area in Kerala, bordering Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, had come to work at Rajkumar’s house in the third week of June, police said.  About a week later, the girl insisted that she be sent back home immediately. On June 29, she was admitted to a local hospital with suspected food poisoning.