Man held for assaulting girlfriend in Trichy

Trichy: The KK Nagar police have arrested a 22-year-old man on charges of attempting to murder a woman on Racecourse Road walking track near the district sports complex in Khajamalai in Trichy. Police said the 22-year-old woman from Ramanathapuram district is pursuing an MBA programme. She has been in a relationship with the accused Viyakula Naveen, a native of Salai village in Sivaganga district, for the past two years. Naveen, an employee of a real estate firm in Thillai Nagar, has been repeatedly asking the woman to marry him, but she declined the offers as her parents did not give their consent. Meanwhile, on Sunday evening, the duo met at the Racecourse road walking track, the vicinity that houses the official quarters of senior police officers and govt officials. Following an argument, Naveen verbally abused the woman and strangled her using a shawl. He then assaulted her with a stone, police said. The woman sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to govt medical college hospital in Trichy. Her condition is stable, police said. Police registered a case under sections BNS 109 (attempt to murder), 296 (b) (abusing in obscene language), and Section 4 of the Woman Harassment Act. Naveen was remanded in judicial custody. Meanwhile, the assault was captured by onlookers in mobile phones and video clips were widely shared on social media platforms with netizens questioning women safety.