Two cops caught on cam damaging bike, suspended

CHENNAI: After a video of two policemen damaging a bike parked at the War Memorial went viral, the two men were placed under suspension on Sunday evening.

The video, believed to have been shot by a passerby, showed a home guard hitting the bike parked between a barricade and two corporation bins near the War Memorial while a special sub-inspector (SSI) observes him from inside the patrol vehicle.

Fort police inspector Muniasamy, who was initially unaware of the issue, said a probe had been ordered into the incident. Police sources said the video was believed to be about three days old and the incident may have occurred on Wednesday and Thursday. With the help of the footage, police identified the home guard as Mohan while the SSI was identified as Hari Babu attached to the Fort police station. After a preliminary inquiry, both were placed under suspension.

The video showed the home guard breaking the dome light and indicators on the bike’s front with his lathi in front of watching passersby. The policeman did not stop hitting the vehicle even when the owner arrived at the spot. Later the SSI steps out and is seen shouting at the owner, but the rider leaves the place without an argument.

The video ends with Mohan informing Hari that someone was shooting a video of them and the SSI trying to spot the person. A senior officer claimed that the rider came to the spot to buy ganja and that the policemen, who were on patrol, had warned him against frequenting the place.

When contacted, senior officers said a probe as to why the personnel damaged the bike was underway.