CHENNAI: A five-member gang assaulted a 23-year-old man and his female friend for holding hands while walking at Kelambakkam in the city on Monday night. They also attacked the man’s parents who came there to support him, police said.At 10pm on Monday, Vinoth, a resident of Perumal Koil Street in Kelambakkam, was heading home with his friend when five men confronted them over their hand-holding, demanding they walk separately.

When the woman confronted them, arguments intensified, and the gang assaulted Vinoth. She called his parents, Gopi and Selvi, who arrived there. The gang proceeded to attack them as well.In the assault, Vinoth and Gopi sustained injuries to the head, hands and legs, while Selvi suffered minor injuries. The three were rushed to a nearby govt hospital in Thiruporur for treatment.Kelambakkam police registered a case and began an investigation. During enquiries, the injured told police that the gang threatened them with dire consequences if they saw them together again.