CHENNAI : An auto rickshaw driver was arrested on Monday for robbing a 19-year-old girl of her possessions and pushing her out of the auto near Perambur on Sunday night. The victim, a final year B Com student, boarded the vehicle at 11.30 pm to return home after attending a friend’s marriage at Perambur, but the driver diverted it to Retteri. When she questioned him about it, he stopped the auto and picked a quarrel with her.
He then snatched her mobile phone and a bag of cash and tried to escape after pushing her out of the moving vehicle. After the girl raised an alarm, some passersby chased the auto rickshaw and nabbed the driver.According to the police, the accused identified as Raja (26) was under the influence of alcohol.
The residents had beaten the driver before they handed him over to Special Sub-Inspector of Police Jambulingam and head constable Sasi Kumar, sector officer of that area in Sembiam, who had rushed to the spot.
Sembium Crime Wing Inspector Murugan registered a case under the IPC Sections 511 (attempt to commit an offence) and 379 (theft). The police arrested Raja and remanded him in Puzhal Central Prison after he was produced before the V Metropolitan Magistrate in Egmore on Monday.