CHENNAI: Public treated a man to mob justice near Vandalur on Tuesday night after he allegedly groped a woman at night near the market area in Melakottayur, 40 km from the city. The man, who was beaten black and blue by the mob, was saved by a few onlookers who warned the irate mob that they would be booked on charges of assault by police.
Police said that the incident happened at around 7.30 pm. The man has been identified as 45 year-old Anandhan, a resident of Kandigai village off Vandalur-Kelambakkam road. Anandan, police said, was drunk and had trailed the woman and hugged and groped her when she was walking towards the market. Taken aback by the man’s behaviour, she screamed for help after which a few passersby rushed to her aid. The man took to his heels and ran into a xerox shop in the area and locked him inside. Soon, word about the incident spread and a huge crowd of about 150 persons gathered outside the store.
Even as some were alerting local police about the incident, a charged up mob broke open the door of the shop, brought the man outside and thrashed him. He was eventually handed over to Thalambur police, who had him admitted to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The woman with whom the man misbehaved filed a complaint with police. Thalambur police registered a case and have begun investigation. They have also filed a case against unidentified members of the public for attacking the man.
