Auto driver involved in youth's death nabbed in Andhra Pradesh

Kesavan, a resident of Pinchivakkamnear Tiruvallur, was picked up from a hideout at Suruttapalli in Andhra Pradesh. Yakesh (23) was seriously injured when he tried to stop Kesavan and his friends from kidnapping a beauty parlour employee in his auto on December 26. He succumbed to injuries at Rajiv Gandhi Government GeneralHospital on December 29.

Last Thursday, Kesavan had allegedly kidnapped the woman who had boarded his vehicle from Mappedu to reach Narasingapuram in Chembarambakkam. As the woman cried out for help after the driver changed route, five youth who were talking on the roadside at Kondanjeri village near Kadambathur chased the vehicle on four motorcycles.

While the chase was on, the woman escaped by jumping off the vehicle. Three of those who chased the auto stopped for helping the woman, while Yakesh and his friend Franklin continued to follow the autorickshaw on a bike.

When Yakesh overtook the vehicle to make it stop, Kesavan rammed onto the two-wheeler and sped away. Yakesh sustained severe injuries, and succumbed to injuries three days later.

"Kesavan and two of his friends had planned to abduct the woman, who works as a beautician, and sexually assault her,” said the police. After arresting Kesavan, officials said he was trying to take the woman to his house in Pinjivakkam village near Kadambathur. That was when Yakesh and his friends intercepted.

Kesavan has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, kidnap and assault, added the police. He was remanded to judicial custody.