In a fit of rage, Guna, a gang member, threatened the hotel staff with a sickle.
A gang of four persons were arrested by Natrampalli police in Tirupattur on Friday for assaulting a panchayat head and a few traders for denial of free snacks by bakery staff in the area.
Police said the arrested persons were identified as V. Jeeva Rathinam (23), R. Gnanavel (23), K. Guna (24) and E. Sampath (26). They are residents of Koothanda Kuppam village. They are previous offenders with petty cases against them in surrounding police stations.
Initial inquiry revealed that G. Murugan (43), head, Koothanda Kuppam village panchayat, runs a hotel and bakery outlet near Jolarpet town on Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 48). He has a group of workers including Mohammed Imtiaz (21), a resident of Vaniyambadi town.
Police said the gang went to the outlet and allegedly demanded snacks, tea and coffee free of cost. Imtiaz, who was in-charge of the hotel at that time, objected to it. Soon, an altercation broke out between the gang and the hotel staff.
In a fit of rage, Guna, a gang member, threatened the hotel staff with a sickle. As residents gathered, the gang fled the spot. The video of the incident went viral on social media , triggering public outcry.
Based on the complaint, Natrampalli police investigated the case and rounded up the suspects from their hideout near Jolarpet town. Arrested persons were lodged in Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is underway.
Published – September 12, 2025 11:30 pm IST
