Police book two groups over car attack on minor girl in Virudhunagar

Virudhunagar: A 15-year-old girl was injured after a car allegedly tried to mow her down at Vandavasi village near A Mukkulam in Virudhunagar district, following a long-running dispute between two families over temple tax.The incident, which took place on June 27, came to light only on Monday after a video of it went viral on social media. Police have registered cases against both groups.The girl, Dharani, daughter of Karunanidhi, 43, was walking home after grazing goats on June 27 when a car, allegedly driven by an intoxicated man, tried to hit her at the instigation of Anandraj, 32, son of Gundumalai, from the same village. Though Dharani sustained minor injuries, she survived the impact and was rushed to safety by locals.A senior police officer told TOI that Anandraj’s friend was driving the car under the influence of alcohol and hit a two-wheeler near the girl, which then struck her obliquely.The car later veered off the road into an adjacent farmland. A video that surfaced later shows intoxicated men alighting from the vehicle, picking up wooden logs, and attempting to attack villagers who questioned their actions. The footage has triggered widespread concern.

Karunanidhi alleged that when he confronted the occupants of the car, they issued death threats. The accused reportedly fled the spot after villagers gathered.Based on Karunanidhi’s complaint, A Mukkulam police registered a case against Anandraj and others for attempting to run over the minor and for criminal intimidation.In a counter-complaint, Anandraj accused Karunanidhi and 10 others, following which police registered another case.The official said the preliminary probe found that the dispute stemmed from a disagreement between two families over the legal heirship of those authorised to collect temple tax.