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Chennai, April 14, 2025 – A 43-year-old autorickshaw driver, identified as Dhamu, was arrested by Velachery police on Saturday night for allegedly abusing and physically assaulting a 29-year-old woman and her mother over a parking space in the TNHB Colony area. The incident, which took place on Friday evening, has sparked renewed concerns about women’s safety in public spaces.
According to police sources, the woman, a private company employee, returned home around 8:30 p.m. on Friday and parked her car in what she believed was a vacant spot near her residence. Minutes later, when she walked back to the vehicle, two men confronted her, questioning why she had parked there. The woman reportedly asked them why they were speaking rudely, at which point the men allegedly began using abusive language and then physically attacked her.
When the woman’s mother, who was nearby, rushed to intervene, she too was assaulted. Neighbors who heard the commotion alerted the police, who arrived at the scene shortly after the men had fled. The woman and her mother sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local clinic.
Based on the victim’s complaint, Velachery police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including assault, criminal intimidation, and using abusive language. One of the accused, Dhamu, was arrested on Saturday. The police are now searching for the second suspect, who is believed to be an accomplice.
Exclusive update: A senior police officer told The Hindu that the victim has been provided with a security escort for the next few days, and a street-level CCTV audit is being conducted to identify the second suspect. “We are also looking into whether the suspects have a history of similar behavior in the area,” the officer added.
Residents of TNHB Colony, many of whom are working women, have expressed shock and anger. “This is not an isolated incident. Parking disputes are common, but violence is unacceptable. We need better patrolling and lighting here,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous.
The case has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of public safety measures, especially in residential colonies where street parking is often contested. Police have urged the public to report any similar incidents immediately.
This is not the first such incident in Velachery. In 2023, a similar case was reported near the same neighborhood, where a woman was verbally abused over parking. However, the police say that the current crackdown on anti-social behavior has led to quicker arrests.
The arrested auto driver, Dhamu, was produced before a magistrate on Sunday and remanded to judicial custody. The woman has been advised to approach the court for an interim protection order if needed.
As the investigation continues, women’s rights activists have urged the city police to deploy more patrols in residential areas and to install better lighting in poorly lit streets. “We cannot have a situation where women are afraid to park their own cars in front of their homes,” said a local activist.
The incident serves as a reminder that even routine tasks like parking can escalate into violence, and that the police response must be swift and firm to deter such behavior.
