A sub-inspector of Kattur police station in Coimbatore was caught on camera assaulting the hotel staff and forcing them to close the hotel to prevent covid spread. The incident occurred around 10:20 pm
on Sunday. The state government has allowed hotels, shops, restaurants, and other eateries to stay open till 11 pm.
The cop identified as Muthu is now transferred to the police control room, says police Commissioner S Davidson Devasirvatham.
The viral CCTV footage of the incident shows, Sub Inspector entering Shri Raja Hotel at 10:21 pm. The hotel had kept its shutters half down and a few customers could be seen eating. The
cop is witnessed beating up employees of the hotel. A woman too has sustained injuries.
Following the incident, hotel owner B Mohanraj filed a complaint against the SI to the police commissioner. “The government has allowed the eateries to keep their shutter open till 11 pm, with 50% capacity. On Sunday night, the shutters were kept half-closed to avoid more gatherings, as a group of passengers was still having food. Despite, the state orders and full precaution by the hotel, the police officer assaulted the workers as well as customers.” The hotel owner also stated that the cop had also damaged restaurant property.
Taking immediate action on the complaint, commissioner Davidson Devasirvatham has initiated an inquiry against SI.
The women injured in the incident said that they were asked to get up and the panic started. When the cop was beating others, the lathi hit her head. The cop appeared to apologize but she wasn’t sure as she was in severe pain.
Sub-inspector Muthu, 36, in his defense alleged that the hotel was open even after the given time. As per the complaint filed by the hotel owner, the cop did so as the inspector attached to Kattur police station was expected to visit the area for night rounds. Inspector Latha has been intimidating shop owners for quite some time.