A repeat offender was killed in an encounter by Salem rural police on Thursday.
According to the police, S. Kathirvel was cited as the accused in eight cases.
The police were on the lookout for Kathirvel in the murder of a Ganeshan, a snack seller.
According to police sources, Kathirvel and his gang murdered Ganeshan in Ayodiyapattinam-Arrur road a month ago but left the victim’s body and motorcycle in middle of the road to look like it was an accident.
After inquiry, Karippatty police registered a case against Kathirvel and six others. Dispute over money transactions led to the murder, police officials said.
On Thursday, Karippatty police went to arrest Kathirvel near Kullampatti based on a tip off. But he attacked SI Mari and Inspector Subramani with a knife and attempted to escape from the place. A senior police official said the police warned him. When he did not heed their warning they shot him in his chest.
“Though Kathirvel was rushed to the hospital, he died on the way. His body has been kept at Salem government hospital for post-mortem,” a senior police official said.
Superintendent of Police S. Deepa Ganiger said, “The case would be referred to Chief Judicial Magistrate for inquiry and a judicial probe would be conducted into the matter.”
Kathirvel’s family demanded a transparent investigation into the incident and raised suspicions regarding the encounter. Family members said that they would refuse to collect the body until proper investigation was conducted.