Cop slaps elderly shop owner during raid, video sparks outrage

A sub-inspector in Tamil Nadu was caught on CCTV slapping a 65-year-old shop owner during a search for banned tobacco products. The cop was from Thanjavur and the incident occurred on Mukkuttu Road near Pattukottai, the video of which quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage.
The Madukkur Police had received information about the alleged sale of illegal tobacco products such as gutka and hans at a local shop. Acting on the tip-off, the police officer, Jeevanandham, was dispatched to the scene to investigate.

Upon arrival, the sub-inspector questioned Thirunavukarasu, the elderly shop owner, about the alleged sale of banned items. When Thirunavukarasu denied the accusations, the cop was seen in the CCTV footage slapping the shopkeeper. The video also shows the shop owner falling at the officer’s feet in an apparent plea for mercy.
Following the video’s circulation, Jeevanandham was transferred to the Armed Reserve. An internal inquiry has been initiated to further investigate the sub-inspector’s actions.
Reports indicate that in the past 10 months, Tamil Nadu Police have seized over 208 tonnes of gutka and registered more than 21,000 cases as part of their crackdown on banned products.
A CCTV shows a Sub-Inspector slapping an elderly shop owner in Thanjavur
The shopkeeper was seen falling at the officer’s feet after the slap
The officer has been transferred, and an internal inquiry is underway