Chennai: A 30-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old woman with a mild mental health condition at Marina Beach. The suspect, identified as Imran, a resident of Chintadripet, befriended the victim through a social media platform and lured her near a theatre in Egmore before taking her to the beach.
Incident Details
The woman, from West Mambalam, left her home on May 13 without informing her family. She suffers from a mild mental health condition and had a habit of leaving home for a few days before returning. Her parents searched for her and brought her back on May 18 after spotting her wandering near Mambalam Railway Station.
On May 19, the woman fell ill and was taken to Kasturba Gandhi Government Hospital in Triplicane for a medical examination. During the check-up, doctors discovered she had been sexually assaulted and immediately informed the Mambalam All Women Police Station.
Investigation and Arrest
Police investigation revealed that the woman was active on Instagram and maintained contact with male acquaintances. On May 13, while she was standing near a theatre in Egmore, Imran, who was passing by on a two-wheeler and knew her through social media, offered her a ride. He took her to Marina Beach, where they spent private time near the swimming pool, and allegedly raped her.
Early on May 14, Imran dropped the woman off at Fort Railway Station. She then traveled to several places, including out of station, with people she had befriended online. Eventually, she returned to Marina Beach, where her father's friend spotted her and informed her family.
Mambalam All Women Police registered a case and arrested Imran. He was produced before a magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody. Police are continuing their interrogation.
