History-sheeter killed in Salem encounter

Twenty-eight-year old S Kathirvel is wanted for killing Ganesan, 35, a ‘murukku’ trader from Kattoor in Salem. “Kathirvel and his gang members murdered Ganesan to revenge him for informing the police on their involvement in waylaying incidents. They dumped his body on the road to make it appear as if he died in a mishap,” police said.

 However, a post mortem revealed that Ganesan was assaulted to death. In connection with the murder, two persons surrendered in court, while a search was on for three others including Kathirvel.

Elaborating on the criminal past of the accused, a senior police official said Kathirvel and his accomplices lastly waylaid a couple going through Butterfly flyover in Kondalampatty, dragged them away into a secluded spot, videographed her in an obscene manner and extorted money by threatening.

 Based on the victim’s complaint, the Kondalampatty police registered a case and inquired the ‘murukku’ trader Ganesan, who was in contact with few members of this gang. It was then Ganesan had informed, to the shock of cops that Kathirvel was into several incidents of waylaying by following the same modus operandi. Since then, Kathirvel was in a mood to take revenge on Ganesan. On Wednesday night, a special team of police led by Veeranam police sub-inspector Boopathy arrested Kathirvel and was handed over to Karipatti police to carry out an inquiry.

On Thursday morning around 10 am, a special team led by Inspector Subramani, Sub Inspectors Mari and Periasamy took Kathirvel to Kullampatty, where he confessed to having kept the weapons used for murder. He then showed the weapons kept hidden near a Peepal tree.

Unexpectedly Kathirvel got hold of a knife and launched an attack on the cops with an intention to escape in a cinematic style.

To prevent Kathirvel from fleeing away and to secure their lives, Inspector Subramani opened fire on him and he died on the spot said a cop.

A native of Mettupatty, Kathirvel is facing a total of seven cases including two murders besides assault and waylaying incidents. He is unmarried.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG)- Salem Range T Senthil Kumar, Superintendent of Police Deepa Ganigar and other officials visited the scene and held inquiries. Moreover, Inspector Subramani and Sub-Inspector Maari were admitted in Salem Government Hospital with injuries. The body of the deceased was sent to Salem GH for a post mortem.

To prevent any untoward incident, a large number of police led by Salem Town Police Inspector Saravanan have been deployed in the hospital.