Vijayakar, a businessman who brandished a pistol and threatened to commit suicide in an 11-hour drama on Wednesday, was admitted to the Institute of Mental Health, Ayanavaram on Thursday.
Police took the 46-year-old to the institute following court orders.
Vijayakar created a stir on Poonamallee High Road when, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, he locked himself into his first-floor rented apartment and brandished a pistol through a window, threatening to first pull the trigger on onlookers, and later on himself.
He was lynched and nabbed around 9 p.m. by an angry mob and police officers just outside his complex, as he was attempting to flee in a car, along with his female companion.
On Wednesday night, Vijayakar was first taken to hospital and later produced before a magistrate at the latter’s residence in Gopalapuram, following which he was sent to Puzhal prison. His licensed pistol, which was loaded, was seized.
The woman with him was let off after questioning. Police said a longstanding dispute with representatives of his apartment complex had sparked the standoff.
Vijayakar was booked under seven sections of the IPC, including attempt to murder. As he is believed to be mentally ill, he was produced before a magistrate again at the Egmore court on Thursday afternoon. The magistrate told police to take him to IMH for treatment.
Vijayakar then created a ruckus on the court premises as he refused to board the police van. Police personnel had to struggle to get him into the vehicle, which finally whisked him away to Ayanavaram.
Police said Vijayakar is from a wealthy family in Madurai. He was living alone, after his family distanced themselves from him due to his illness.
After a series of failed business ventures in India and abroad, Vijayakar recently ventured into the restaurant business and also attempted filmmaking in Sri Lanka, but suffered heavy losses.
