The main accused Tinku Anwar, who was out on bail, first attacked the victim's husband with a knife in a busy market place before fleeing away with his accomplices.
Tushar Mehta, the Centre’s second most-senior law officer who is appearing for the investigating agency, told the top court that one key witness refused to appear for face-to-face with Chidambaram "because he is too powerful".
The minor girl was rescued by childline officials who helped her to lodge a complaint on November 23 at the All Women Police Station in Tiruvannamalai.