Chennai: A 40-year-old man, who stalked and harassed a woman IT employee in Chennai, was arrested on Wednesday. Police also seized the two-wheeler and mobile phone of the culprit.
Police said Babu of Tiruvannamalai, currently residing at Perungudi, worked as a rider for a private ride-hailing application in Chennai.
A 26-year-old woman staying at a private women’s hostel in Thoraipakkam lodged a complaint stating that in the early hours of May 22, an unidentified man wearing a helmet followed her on a two-wheeler on Pillaiyar Kovil Street in Thoraipakkam, displayed obscene images on his mobile phone, and behaved inappropriately. She said he stalked and harassed her on earlier occasions as well.
Thoraipakkam police registered a case and examined CCTV footage collected from the locality and traced the registration number of the two-wheeler used in the incident. Using these details, police identified and arrested the suspect, Babu, on Wednesday.
During the investigation, police seized the two-wheeler and mobile phone used in the commission of the offence.
Following interrogation, the accused was produced before a court on Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 22, when the victim was walking on Pillaiyar Kovil Street in Thoraipakkam. The accused, wearing a helmet, followed her on a two-wheeler and displayed obscene images on his mobile phone. The victim, who works as an IT professional, reported that she had been stalked and harassed by the same individual on previous occasions.
Police Investigation
Upon receiving the complaint, Thoraipakkam police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. They collected CCTV footage from the area and traced the registration number of the two-wheeler used in the crime. This led to the identification and arrest of Babu.
Police seized the two-wheeler and mobile phone used in the offence. The accused was produced before a court on Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody.
Background of the Accused
Babu, originally from Tiruvannamalai, was residing in Perungudi and worked as a rider for a private ride-hailing application. His arrest highlights the police's efforts to ensure safety for women in the city.
