A horror video has surfaced the internet, a group of men in two cars has chased women on the East Coastal Road. This disturbing video has sparked outrage and debates in both the public and the political parties. One of the cars that were alleged had a flag of the ruling party, DMK. So the opposition has taken the steps to elevate the situation. On the other hand women activists have raised concern issues. The Chennai police has set 4 sub groups of investigation officers to manhunt, identify and arrest the accused.
Viral Video and the Social Media Backlash
The shocking footage which came to limelight on social media on Tuesday night where a group of men followed women who were travelling back from Muttukaaadu, a tourist boating spot in ECR, Chennai. In the video, men were seen to be laughing, chasing and intimidating the women. The terrified girls started to record the events for evidence. The panic created when one men in black t shirt got down the car and chased them and abused them.
Within hours of its circulation, the video went viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp, with users expressing anger from public. Many social media users tagged the Chennai Police, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Office, and the National Commission for Women (NCW), urging them to take strict measures against the culprits of women’s safety on Chennai’s roads, especially in isolated stretches like ECR.
Police Identify Video Uploader
As the video went viral, the police started to which district and place was this video from. They searched for the uploader and rectified the issue. The police are now reviewing the CCTV footages from the nearest petrol pumps, companies and tried to search the accused.
Then there was a comment from the social media that went viral saying that the women were drunk. On the further investigation, there came to light that this incident happened in Pallikaranai and the women in the car has reached out to the police during the chase and the police arrived to the victims house and then checked the safety of the girls.
Formal Complaint and the Shocking Revelation
While the video has provided strong evidence, authorities have urged the women involved in the incident to come forward and file a formal complaint. Police have assured complete confidentiality and protection to the victims.
Now a medical student came forward and filed the complaint. She claraified that she was accompanied with two girls, a baby and a man from her own family. She emphasized no one was drunk and she also said the men in the car abused them. When the police reached the spot, the accused has answered them that they were following them to tell them the woman who drove the vehicle scratched their car. The medical student has strongly denied that and asked for further investigation. The Police are still in search of the accused.
A disturbing incident on #Chennai’s East Coast Road (ECR) has come to light after a video surfaced showing a group of men in a #DMK-flagged luxury car intercepting and following a vehicle with women at midnight.
The incident occurred on January 25 near Kanathur-Muttukadu Road,… pic.twitter.com/LR3nLNEUsX— South First (@TheSouthfirst) January 29, 2025
Public and Women’s Rights Groups Demand Stronger Action
The incident has reignited discussions about women’s safety in Chennai, especially on highways and secluded roads. Several women’s rights groups and activists have demanded increased police patrolling, installation of more CCTV cameras, and stricter penalties for offenders.
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Women and Child Development also condemned the incident, stating that the government will take necessary steps to enhance security measures for women.
Next Steps: Police Continue Search for Accused
As the investigation progresses, police are urging anyone with additional information about the accused to come forward. Authorities have assured swift legal action under sections related to harassment, criminal intimidation, and public safety violations.
In the future, citizens are urged to report any such incidents by calling the Tamil Nadu Police Helpline (Dial 1091 for women's safety). Police are anticipated to make arrests shortly in response to mounting public pressure, guaranteeing the victims' justice and delivering a clear message against gender-based harassment in public places.
Conclusion
The viral video has shed light on the urgent need for stronger measures to ensure women's safety on Chennai’s roads. With police actively working on the case, citizens hope that the culprits will be brought to justice swiftly. Meanwhile, authorities continue to stress the importance of reporting such crimes to prevent future incidents.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
*The views expressed are personal to the author and do not reflect the platform's opinion of the same.
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Author's Bio
Ayesha Jumana A R is a dedicated content writer specializing in creative content, blogs, SEO-optimised articles, and product descriptions. She has earned recognition at the national level for critical writing, contributed to the Assist World Record for Spill Poetry, and received multiple state and district-level prizes for her poetry. Her work is featured in the anthology An Invisible Bond, available on Amazon.
