Chennai
The accused, identified as Ramanathan alias ‘Thuppaki’ Ramanathan (52), is said to be a real estate businessman who also runs a religious organisation.
On Sunday night, the police control room received a call from a person identified as Vetrivel, a constable attached to Central Crime Branch, informing that a man tried to shoot him and his friends on the service road at Mondiamman Nagar.
The Red Hills police were alerted and a team of police personnel rushed to the spot.
During inquiry, Vetrivel reportedly told police that when he was talking with friends at a construction site, a car pulled up near them. The person who was behind the wheel allegedly verbally abused them, which led to an argument between them. Even after Vetrivel identified himself as a police official, the person told them that the land belongs to him. He then took out a pistol from the car and tried to shoot at them before fleeing the spot in the car. He opened three rounds of fire, sending Vetrivel and friends scurrying for cover.
After investigation, police identified the person as Ramanathan with the help of CCTV footage retrieved from the locality and secured him. The pistol and three bullets in his possession were seized.
He is said to have been under the influence of alcohol when he opened fire at the policeman and his friends.
Police said both Ramanathan and his brother have licensed pistols and were once booked for firing in the sky when an MTC bus did not give way for his car. “Ramanathan has got his licence for the pistol from Mysuru, Karnataka,” said police.
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