Key suspect in cop attack case gunned down by Chennai police

CHENNAI: A day after a constable on night patrol was attacked and left with grievous head injuries, Chennai police gunned down the prime suspect Anandan, 22, who had led the attack. Police, who have already arrested six men involved in the attack, killed Anandan in an encounter at CPT campus in Taramani late on Tuesday night.

A resident of BV Naicken Street in Triplicane, Anandan has 12 cases, including two attempt to murder cases, against him.

On Tuesday evening, police received a tip off about Anandan and a police team which included assistant commissioner KN Sudarshan, inspector Dillibabu and sub-inspector Ilaiyaraja picked him up near Sholinganallur. During interrogation, he said he had hidden a walkie talkie stolen from constable Rajavelu at central polytechnic campus in Taramani.

When he was taken to the spot by the police team, he dug out a knife and tried to attack sub-inspector Ilaiyaraja. He was shot dead immediately.

His body was then taken to Government Royapettah Hospital for autopsy.

Police constable Rajavelu, 35, on night patrol duty, rushed after a distress call landed at the city police control room on Monday night. On noticing at least 10 people assembled at a spot, consuming liquor in public place and creating ruckus, Rajavelu questioned them and advised them to disperse.

They, however, attacked him with sickles and knives. Rajavelu suffered severe injuries on his head and face, requiring more than 30 stitches.

Even as the cop is battling for his life, police arrested six persons -- Aravindan, Velmurugan, Seenu, Udayanidhi, Ajithkumar and Mahesh -- in connection with the attack. Four more are still at large.