CHENNAI: Police on Sunday morning booked a woman for abusing traffic personnel in Chetpet after her daughter was fined for violating lockdown norms.
The action came a couple of hours after a video of the woman, who gave her name as Tanuja Kanthulla and claimed to be an advocate, went viral on social media and a head constable lodged a complaint.
In his petition, Rajith Kumar of the Chetpet traffic police said he was on duty with his colleagues Prabhakaran, Anand and Vimalraj when they intercepted a car around 7.45am for not following the protocol.
The driver, who identified herself as Preethi Rajan of Kilpauk, said she was on her way to purchase fish on the beach but did not possess an epass.
Police took her licence, registered a case and handed over an e-challan.
The woman then made a call on her mobile phone.
Within a couple of minutes, Tanuja Kanthulla arrived in a highend car, hurled abuses at the police personnel and threw away the e-challan, the complaint said.
In the video, which runs for nearly 2.17 minutes, Tanuja, who said she was an advocate, threatened to strip the police personnel of their uniform if they did not mend their ways.
“She was not wearing a mask, another violation, and grew furious when we asked her to put it on.
We asked her to speak politely to which she refused,” said Rajith Kumar.
The woman was booked under Sections 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.), 294 B (sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place,), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (1) criminal intimidation.
Stating that Sunday’s incident was unpleasant, the city police appealed to the public to cooperate with the law enforcers in implementing lockdown restrictions.
Field officers have also been instructed to treat the violators politely.