SALEM: The Salem city police arrested a 40-year-old man from Puthur Agraharam near Neikkarapatti on charges of sexually abusing women by filming their obscene videos and then using those recordings to threaten and pressure them to yield to his wishes.Inquiries revealed that M Manikandan had allegedly approached women in financial difficulties, promising them loans and support. “After earning their confidence, he filmed private moments without permission and later used the footage to blackmail them,” said an officer at the Kondalampatti police station. “The man abused women and also compelled some of them to meet the demands of his associates,” the officer added.Meanwhile, an audio recording shared by one of the victims spread widely in social media. In the clip, the woman explained that she had come across several obscene videos of other women on Manikandan’s phone and that she had been threatened when she had attempted to cut ties with him.After the audio began circulating, Salem city police commissioner A K Giri ordered investigations. “A forensic review of Manikandan’s mobile phone indicated that he had recorded three women in compromising circumstances,” Giri told TOI. Based on those findings, cases had been registered under seven sections, including for sexual harassment, cheating and criminal intimidation, he added.The commissioner stated that a detailed investigation was in progress.In the meantime, the ruling TVK released a statement that Manikandan was neither a cadre nor a functionary of the party, contrary to claims made by some people. Salem South district secretary RS Manikandan stated that such offences against women could not be tolerated. He urged police to handle the matter with the highest seriousness.
