CHENNAI: A 38-year-old criminal was nabbed near Therur in Kanniyakumari district on Monday after a cop opened fire at him in self-defence.

The criminal, who attacked the cop, was identified as R Selvam alias Selva Murugan, who is a native of Karumpattur village, Kanniyakumari district. He was hospitalised with a gunshot wound to his right leg.

Anjugramam Sub Inspector of Police Libi Palraj came under attack when Selvam attempted to evade arrest. While chasing down the criminal, the sub-inspector sustained injury on his left arm as a result of being assaulted with a machete by the criminal.

The injured cop is also under treatment in Kanniyakumari GH at Asaripallam.

Superintendent of Police Sundaravathanam in a statement said Selvam threatened, assaulted a person and eventually snatched money from him and ran away. The incident happened on August 18 near Anjugramam.

A team led by Inspector of Police M Adam Ali (Suchindram Circle) zeroed in on him and busted his hideout. When Selvam was about to be nabbed, he unleashed an attack on the SI, who initially fired a warning shot, but since he did not surrender, the criminal was shot in his right leg.

A total of 28 cases were booked against Selva after being accused of several crimes including six murders and seven murder attempts reported from various districts in the past.

Besides, courts in several districts had issued arrest warrants for Selvam on five occasions.