Woman abuses SI at police station, develops seizure after hit by lathi

The incident happened around 11 am when sub-inspector Kotteswaran was evicting the vendors selling fruits on NSC Bose Road, as per instructions, as the latter did not follow the social distancing norms. However, one of the vendors, Gopi, got into an argument with the SI after which the vendor was brought to the police station. On hearing about it, Gopi’s sister Kaveri reached the station and verbally abused the sub-inspector in front of the rest of the police personnel and other visitors. As she kept on hurling vulgar words at the officer despite repeated warnings, the sub-inspector, who lost his cool, hit the woman with lathi once.

However, after Kaveri developed seizure and collapsed, fellow flower vendors and kin gathered at the station and got into an argument with the police, leading to a commotion on the station premises. A video of the same also went viral on WhatsApp soon after the incident. Since the Flower Bazaar inspector is on leave, Elephant Gate inspector D Rajakumar rushed to the spot and sent Kaveri to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH). She was given necessary treatment and is said to be safe. The inspector also held talks with the protesters, after which they dispersed.

A senior official, when contacted, said that a probe has been ordered and departmental action will be taken against the sub-inspector if found guilty. However, no complaint has been lodged on behalf of the victim yet.