Cop snatches vendor’s phone for refusing to pay ‘fine’

The incident happened on Saturday evening when Shivakumar was doing in business on Anna Salai near railway officers’ quarters, police sources said.

SSI Muthuswamy from the Teynampet police station approached the vendor to collect a fine for allegedly encroaching the footpath and doing business there. As Shivakumar failed to pay the amount, the SSI snatched his mobile phone and asked him to collect the phone after making the ‘payment’.

The vendor reportedly waited for two days hoping the SSI to return the phone. As it did not happen, he went to the station on Monday and asked one of the sub-inspectors to help him get back his phone. Once the negotiations failed, Shivakumar approached the Teynampet station inspector for help. The inspector then summoned SSI Muthuswamy and asked for an explanation. When Muthuswamy failed to give a satisfactory explanation, the inspector asked him to return the mobile phone to the vendor immediately.

Sources said that the SSI may receive a memo asking explanation for his action.