A video from Chennai has created criticism after a policeman was caught on camera telling a woman that “harassment happens because you roam around like this after 12 am.”

The incident happened in Thiruvanmiyur, where the woman has been feeding straydogs on her street for nearly 20 years. Late at night, two policemen stopped her and questioned her actions. One of them, identified as Karthik, told her not to feed the dogs for four days, claiming the animals would “stop coming automatically”.

The conversation soon turned into a quarrel. Both the woman and the policeman began recording the exchange. In the video, the woman can be heard questioning his conduct, while Karthik is heard making the remark about harassment, which has now been widely criticised as victim-blaming.

India Today contacted Thiruvanmiyur police to ask about the issue. Officials said they were looking into the matter.

Karthik, however, later defended himself, saying he had used the word “arrest” and not “harassment”. But the video clearly captures his words. He also told investigating officers that he only advised the woman not to come out past midnight, warning she could face arrest if she did so.

Despite the outrage, no action has been taken against Karthik. The police said the matter has now been closed.

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