A DMK councilor from the Vellore corporation and two party functionaries have been charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 by the Vellore North police for assault and casteist remarks against a group of autorickshaw drivers who belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC).
Police said the suspects were identified as Shanmugam, councilor of ward 33 of Vellore Corporation, and DMK party functionaries Sundar Viji and Jaya, who reside in Old Town.
Initial investigation revealed that separate autorickshaw stands affiliated to DMK and VCK were operating near the new bus stand on Chennai – Bengaluru Highway Road (NH48) near Katpadi Bridge for the last few years.
On December 18, Councilor Shanmugam and his supporters installed a makeshift Aavin stall at a spot where autorickshaw drivers affiliated to the VCK parked their vehicles near the bus station. When the autorickshaw pullers objected to this, a heated argument broke out between the two groups who, along with the councilor and his supporters, allegedly assaulted and verbally assaulted the autorickshaw drivers.
Acting on the alert, the Vellore North police rushed to the spot. Proceedings were conducted against the councilor and two others. A probe is underway.
Published – 23 Dec 2025 22:19 IST
