Trapped 25 women into sexual relationships, filmed private moments; Grocery store owner arrested

CHENNAI: A grocery store owner was arrested for befriending women and then filming sexual acts with them. The arrested person is Manikandan (43), a native of Puthur, Kondalalampatti, Salem.

Manikandan used to befriend women who came to his store and made the most of it to take their phone numbers. He then strengthened his friendship over the phone. Manikandan’s modus operandi was to sexually assault the women and then film the act on his mobile phone. According to the case, the grocery store owner trapped more than 25 women in this way.

There is a complaint that he threatened to show the footage recorded on his mobile phone, demanded money and forced them to cooperate in the prostitution racket. One of the women he threatened filed a complaint with the police. The police collected the video of the conversation between the woman and Manikandan as evidence.

Meanwhile, TVK District Secretary and Minister Vijay Parthiban denied rumours that Manikandan was a TVK party worker.