Chennai: In a major embarrassment for the city police, a traffic policeman found drunk on duty was charged after he allegedly groped a young woman on Saturday evening near Liberty junction at Kodambakkam.On Sunday, police registered an FIR against the cop on locals’ pressure. Special sub inspector (SSI) Panneerselvam attached to the Vadapalani traffic enforcement wing was regulating traffic at Arcot Road on Saturday evening when a woman who works at a private firm in the area left office along with her colleagues.
They were waiting at one end of the road near Liberty Junction when the cop halted traffic, crossed over and helped the group of women cross the road. But while doing so, he threw his hand and allegedly touched the woman inappropriately. The woman though perturbed by the cop’s action ignored it and was walking away when the SSI called her and waved suggestively at her, following which the woman complained to other cops at the outpost nearby.
According to locals, the cops initially attempted to suppress the incident and tried saving the SSI. “It was only after the public gathered and protested that the Kodambakkam police agreed to accept the written complaint by the woman and offered a community service register (CSR),” Imran, a local said.
Meanwhile, the SSI was subjected to a medical test, which proved that he was under the influence of alcohol. Kodambakkam Police have registered an FIR against Panneerselvam under section 4 (1) (j) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act and 75 (2) (a) of the City Police Act.
