Auto driver protests on cell phone tower over vehicle seizure near Chennai central railway station

CHENNAI: An auto-rickshaw driver, K. Prakash (40), staged a protest atop a cell tower near Chennai Central Railway Station on Thursday, protesting against the seizure of his vehicle by Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel.

Prakash, a resident of Pallavan Salai, Triplicane, had parked his auto-rickshaw in a no-parking zone near the railway station a few days ago.

RPF personnel seized the vehicle and registered a case.

On Thursday, Prakash went to the RPF office to retrieve his vehicle but was asked to pay a fine of Rs 5,000. He requested that his vehicle be returned, but RPF personnel insisted on payment of the fine.

Agitated, Prakash climbed the nearby cell tower and began protesting, demanding his vehicle's release.

RPF personnel and police officials negotiated with him, and after a 30-minute protest, Prakash descended from the tower.

Police are investigating the matter, and Prakash is being questioned by officers from the Periamet police station.

The incident caused a brief commotion in the area.