Man detained by residents for bringing kin home

The resident alleged that he was denied entry into his house as the association accused him of bringing an outsider into their community thus compromising the safety of other residents. “I tried to explain that my mother-in-law was old and needed to be with us, but the association members did not listen and cited new rules,” the IT professional said.

The 36-year-old man at one point agreed to send his mother-in-law back to his relative’s place in Besant Nagar from where she was picked up on Friday morning. “ The association members also said that I cannot enter my flat as I had gone out to a relative’s place,” he told DT Next. After a verbal duel ensued, police were called to resolve the issue. “After listening to both the parties, police clarified that there was no such restrictions for residents to bring in their family members unless they were from hot spots or quarantined areas,” he said. The police also suggested that those who intended to bring relatives or others home could get a travel pass for the same. When contacted, office bearers of the association in Thoraipakkam, said, “There are more than 650 flats in our gated complex and the Corporation officials have advised ensuring that no one leaves and no outsider enters into the complex. We were just following the instructions.” Association members should post guards who can analyse the situation and not embarrass the public, said a Corporation official with COVID-19 flying squad in South Chennai.