How much trouble can one prank SMS cause? It could, apparently, lead to a group clash leaving seven injured, 11 arrested and a police case against 14 people.
A 15-year-old girl in Villupuram learnt this the hard way, after she used her neighbour's mobile to prank the latter's relative.
The New Indian Express reports that Rajaveni, a resident of Keezhputhupattu, is a widow living alone, and a 15-year-old neighbour used to visit her frequently.
On Saturday, the teenager used Rajaveni's phone and reportedly sent a message that read ‘I love you’ to a relative of Rajaveni, Gopinath.
Following this, Gopinath allegedly called Rajaveni and abused her, despite the latter claiming that she sent no such message.
Tempers flared, and soon both of them were yelling at each other.
Rajaveni then informed her relative Ayyappan, who reportedly traveled to Gopinath's residence with four friends.
A kangaroo court brokered peace and promised to reprimand Gopinath. Feeling insulted, Gopinath chased the other group with five of his friends, the TNIE report adds.
A fight soon broke out and both groups suffered injuries, with Ayyapan having to be admitted to a hospital. Later in the day, another group assembled on hearing the news of Ayyapan's injuries, and tried to attack Gopinath.
The Kottakupam police soon rushed to the spot to tackle the situation, and deployed personnel in the villages of both the groups.