Chennai

The incident happened at Nandiambakkam near Minjur on Monday. The video shows sub-inspector Marimuthu of Minjur station and another official, and three others in plainclothes hitting a man with PVC pipes. When the victim tried to run away, they chased and hit him repeatedly.

When asked about the incident, officials said the police team had gone to the spot after receiving a complaint about trouble near a Tasmac shop but refused to elaborate. Officials claimed the victim has not lodged any complaint and could not be traced, and added that those in plainclothes too were cops.

But local residents alleged that Tasmac shop employees were using the policemen posted for bandobust to threaten and even assault if any customer questioned liquor being sold above MRP. Instead of booking lockdown violators and those buying liquor in bulk, the cops were using volunteers and Friends of Police to collect bribe from them, the residents added.

SI Marimuthu was earlier accused of manhandling a senior citizen a month ago, and there is a petition seeking action against him.