Cop arrested, jailed for harassing woman

Chennai: A police constable, Haridas, attached to the Avadi crime wing, was arrested and placed under suspension for allegedly harassing a woman, who had approached him for help in recovering her stolen two-wheeler.The constable took the woman to a resort where he had booked a room. The woman was rescued by her brother, who had accompanied her.Thewoman lodged a complaint with theAvadi crime wing policestation after her scooter was stolen near a police check post. The vehicle was later traced by the police.Constable Haridas, who was part of the investigation, contacted the woman and informed her about the recovery of the vehicle. He demanded 15,000 from her to facilitate the immediate return of the scooter. When she stated she couldn't afford that amount, he agreed to accept 2,000.According to the woman, Haridas continued to contact her saying he was interested in her.He then invited her to a resort in Avadi. Shocked by the advances, the woman called her brother, who had accompanied her to the location. He confronted the constable at the resort and a heated altercation ensued. On information from the hotel management, local police arrived at the scene and took Haridas into custody. The woman and her brother later lodged a formal complaint with assistant commissioner Kanagaraj. Based on a preliminary inquiry, the Avadi All-Women Police registered a case.Following the incident, Avadi commissioner of police K Shankar ordered the immediate suspension of constable Haridas. He was produced before a magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody.