Chennai: An auto-rickshaw driver was arrested after allegedly assaulting a call taxi driver with a stone following an argument over picking up passengers in the Pookadai area, police said.
The arrested person has been identified as Prakash, 37, of Adhanapattu in Vanur taluk of Villupuram district.
According to the police, Rajaram, 31, a native of Madurai district, is working as a call taxi driver and staying in a rented house in the Koyambedu area of Chennai.
On the morning of September 25, Rajaram had reportedly picked up a passenger from Marina and dropped the person near Chennai Central Railway Station. While he was there, another passenger approached him and enquired about travelling to Marina Beach.
Police said an auto-rickshaw driver who was nearby questioned Rajaram about picking up passengers in the area and allegedly asked him why he had come there to take a ride.
As Rajaram attempted to move his car, the auto driver allegedly abused him verbally, picked up a stone from the roadside and struck the call taxi. He then allegedly used the same stone to attack Rajaram and threatened him before leaving the spot.
The incident also resulted in damage to the call taxi, according to the complaint.
Rajaram subsequently approached the C-1 Pookadai Police Station and lodged a complaint seeking action against the auto-rickshaw driver for allegedly damaging his vehicle, assaulting him and issuing a death threat.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case and began an investigation.
A police team led by the Inspector of C-1 Pookadai Police Station conducted an investigation at the scene and traced the accused. Prakash was arrested on September 25 in connection with the alleged offence.
After questioning, Prakash was produced before a court on the same day and was remanded to judicial custody, police said.