M Ezhilarasu, reporter of a news channel, reportedly entered the panchayat office in Athupakkam after its president Amirtham Venu was denied permission to hoist the national flag on Independence Day. In her petition to the State Human Rights Commission, Amirtham had stated that her name was not entered in the records even nine months after being elected as Athupakkam Panchayat president.

Investigating this, Ezhilarasu recorded the visual of the ledger when no official was present at the office. Within a few minutes, however, panchayat secretary Sasikumar and vice-president Revathi’s husband Vijayakumar reached the office and entered into a heated argument with him. The duo allegedly snatched his mobile phone and locked him inside the office. On information, Gummidipoondi DSP Ramesh rushed to the spot and rescued him. After the information reached senior officers, the duo was arrested based on a complaint filed by Ezhilarasu. However, officials said three counter complaints were lodged against Ezhilarasu, including by a woman housekeeper who was present in the office when the incident happened.