The Washermenpet police arrested a youth for attacking an autorickshaw driver with stone after pledging stolen mobile phone as security for taking loan.

The police said that Deepan, 33, an autorickshaw driver of Bhojarajan Nagar in Old Washermenpet, filed a complaint that around 10 days ago, a man identified as Aribabu from the same locality approached his mother claiming that his child was unwell and allegedly requested ₹500 in exchange for a mobile phone as security.

Deepan’s mother gave him ₹500 and kept the mobile phone with her. A few days later, when the phone was switched on, officials from the Railway Police reportedly contacted the family and informed them that the mobile phone was a stolen device and asked them to surrender it at the railway police station.

Following this, Deepan questioned Aribabu on Sunday night on why he had given a stolen phone in exchange for money, involving the family in legal complications.

The police said Aribabu allegedly became enraged, abused Deepan in obscene language, picked up a stone lying nearby and attacked him and issued death threats before fleeing the spot.

Deepan sustained bleeding injuries and was admitted at Government Stanley Medical College Hospital for treatment. Based on his complaint, the police registered a case at Washermanpet Police Station and arrested the accused, Aribabu, 20, of Old Washermenpet.