Chennai: A video clip that purportedly showed some women in a car being chased and intimidated by men in a SUV with a "DMK flag" has gone viral and police said on Wednesday that they are on the lookout for them.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the visuals that showed the women being intimidated were shocking and asked if women's right to move around during the night had been usurped under the "Stalin model DMK government?"
Police said that based on the complaint, a CSR (Community Service Register) entry was initially made and following an enquiry, it was converted into an FIR under relevant sections of the BNS and TN Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act and stringent legal action is being taken against those involved.
An official police release said an in-depth investigation was on and special teams have been formed to trace the vehicle and nab the accused.
"CCTV footage on the ECR road is being collected and reviewed to determine the exact sequence of events," the release added.
The leader of the opposition asked if the "ruling party identity such as a DMK flag is a licence" for committing crimes against women. Further, the women, who escaped were chased till they reached their residence and when they complained, the police faulted them for going outside during the night.
Demanding to know if the police would act at a snail's pace and belatedly if the accused were DMK persons, he said the incident on the East Coast Road, an arterial state road, showed complete spoiling of the law and order situation by the DMK government.
He urged the registration of an FIR, arrest of all accused persons and appropriate legal action without any political interference.
The incident, as shown by the video, appears to have occurred at night and the recordings are apparently from inside the car used by the women. A clip allegedly shows an SUV with a DMK flag obstructing the way for the car and a man running towards the vehicle of women some of them gathering around and later following them.
According to the police, on January 26, a woman resident of suburban Kanathur filed a complaint stating that on January 25, 2025, at approximately 2 AM, while she was travelling by her car near Muttukadu bridge, two vehicles with about 7-8 occupants suddenly intercepted her.
The police release, further, said: "According to the complaint, the individuals in these vehicles subsequently followed her car to her residence and confronted her, alleging that she had hit their vehicle and fled without stopping. Upon reaching her residence, the occupants of the pursuing vehicles engaged in an argument with the complainant regarding the alleged accident. However, the complainant has denied any involvement in such an accident."
Expressing shock, state BJP president K Annamalai alleged that the incident showed that women had no safety and security in Tamil Nadu, be it day or night.
He urged the government to increase the number of patrol vehicles, including motorcycles, and the patrol should be stepped up during the night. Wherever needed, police stations should be set up, he said and slammed the DMK regime for not recruiting adequate personnel and providing necessary facilities.
Alleging that the crimes against women, children and Scheduled Castes have increased in Tamil Nadu, he said in the event of a dip in crimes, state governments publicise it and Chief Minister Stalin, if he intends to refute the allegation should do it by presenting data.
