Vellore, Tamil Nadu: A sub-inspector attached to the Gudiyatham Taluk police shot a murder suspect in the leg on Tuesday morning after the individual allegedly attacked the officer with a machete and attempted to escape during a weapon recovery operation. The incident occurred in Sengundram village near Gudiyatham town in Vellore district.
The injured sub-inspector has been identified as S. Raja, who had been serving with the Gudiyatham Taluk police for approximately six months, having been transferred from Vellore town. The suspect, identified as K. Poovarasan, 29, reportedly faces over 20 criminal cases across various police stations in the district.
According to police reports, a special police team, led by Gudiyatham Taluk Inspector Tamilselvan, had taken Poovarasan to a house in Sengundram village around 5 a.m. The purpose of this visit was to locate stashed weapons. This operation followed Poovarasan’s alleged involvement in the shooting death of a local PMK functionary, Gnanavel, 49, on Monday evening, reportedly due to a previous enmity. Gnanavel’s friend, Ragu, 40, also sustained injuries in the earlier incident.
At the house, police claim Poovarasan suddenly produced a machete and attacked Sub-Inspector Raja before attempting to flee. In response, Sub-Inspector Raja fired a shot, striking Poovarasan in the right ankle. Poovarasan was subsequently apprehended. The sub-inspector also sustained injuries to his left arm during the altercation.
Both Sub-Inspector Raja and Poovarasan were admitted to the Government Taluk Hospital in Gudiyatham town. Later, Poovarasan was transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Vellore for treatment of his gunshot wound, where he was admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. The condition of the injured sub-inspector was reported as stable.
The police stated that Poovarasan was arrested on Monday night after he allegedly shot Gnanavel near a bus stop in the village. Based on an alert from residents, the Gudiyatham Taluk police had inspected the scene and apprehended Poovarasan from his hideout. Ragu, who was also injured, was shifted to the Vellore Government Hospital. A case has been registered, and further investigations are ongoing. Poovarasan is alleged to have been involved in murder, attempt to murder, highway robbery, and intimidation, with cases registered at multiple police stations.
The Chenab Times News Desk
