Tamil Nadu: Two Kerala Men Arrested Under POCSO Act After Checking Into Hotel With Minor Girls
Two Kerala men, aged 23 and 27, have been arrested under the POCSO Act in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district after allegedly staying in a hotel with two 15-year-old girls. The minors had reportedly left home due to academic pressure. A woman's alert led police and child welfare authorities to intervene. The case remains under investigation.
Nagapattinam, October 23, 2026: Tamil Nadu Police have arrested two men from Kerala after they allegedly arranged hotel accommodation with two 15-year-old schoolgirls in Nagapattinam district. The accused, aged 23 and 27, have been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The incident came to light after a concerned woman noticed the girls and alerted the authorities. Police subsequently initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their stay at a hotel in Velankanni.
Girls Had Left Home Following Academic Pressure
According to police, the two schoolgirls had travelled to Velankanni after leaving their homes, reportedly following disagreements with their parents over academic performance.
After arriving in the town, they approached local businesses seeking employment but were unable to find work.
The girls later visited Velankanni beach, where they reportedly came into contact with two tourists from Kerala.
Police said the men became acquainted with the girls and subsequently arranged hotel accommodation after one of the minors requested a place to spend the night.
Investigators allege that each man shared a separate hotel room with one of the girls.
Alert From Woman Leads to Police Action
The following day, the girls continued looking for employment when a woman became concerned about their situation and contacted the police emergency helpline.
Following the alert, police coordinated with the Singappen Special Force, a specialised women's police unit, and the Child Welfare Committee.
Authorities spoke with the minors and gathered preliminary information before registering a case under the POCSO Act.
Both men were taken into custody, while the girls underwent medical examinations as part of the investigation.
Police are continuing their inquiry to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Political Reactions Over Child Safety
The arrests have also sparked political criticism in Tamil Nadu.
DMK MP Kanimozhi reportedly questioned the state government's handling of women's safety and demanded justice for the minors.
The reported criticism was directed at the TVK government, which had not issued a response at the time of the original report.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the safety of minors who leave home and the importance of prompt intervention by child protection authorities.
The case remains under investigation.