23-year-old assaulted, robbed by auto driver

CHENNAI: In a shocking incident, a 23-year-old youth was assaulted, robbed, tied-up and left abandoned by an auto driver and his accomplice at Tambaram on Monday night. He was rescued by a local woman resident early on Tuesday.Sources said Lakshmikantan (23) of Kalyan Nagar on Mudichur Road in West Tambaram worked in a private company at Thyagaraya Nagar that was engaged in clearing and forwarding operations at the harbour. On Monday night, Lakshmikantan finished work around 11 pm and took a local train from T Nagar to Tambaram, the sources added.Getting off the train at Tambaram, the youth got into an autorickshaw to go home. As the three-wheeler was just taking off, another man joined the driver on the front seat.Lakshmikanthan got the first whiff of trouble, when the auto did not turn towards Mudichur Road, but started in the direction of Chengalpattu. As he began to protest, the driver stopped the vehicle on the subway on Chennai bypass road. He was badly assaulted by the duo, who then proceeded to tie his hands and rob him of his two expensive cell phones, `5,000 cash and watch. The youth lay on the road from 11.30 pm till 4.30 am on Tuesday, till a woman found him and untied his hands.The shocked youth ran home and told his parents about the incident. He was  later admitted to a hospital and a complaint lodged at the Tambaram police station.