Ex-functionary of party held, weapons seized

A police team led by Sub Inspector P Selvaraj busted a hideout of the criminals, from where the fake arms were seized, and arrested S Gowri Mohandoss (46) of Pottalkulam, a former district secretary of the Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) and the current president of the Devendrakula Munnetra Sangam. However, the other gang members, who had allegedly hatched a plot to commit a large-scale robbery, managed to escape the site.

The suspects are believed to be hiding in neighbouring Kerala and the police team is using cellphone technology to track them down. The accused will soon be nabbed, Theni Superintendent of Police V Baskaran said onSaturday.

During the raid, weapons including an AK-47, two air pistols, a sten gun and two country-made guns were seized besides knives of various sizes, as many as 10 mobile phones and a car, sources said.

After examining the guns, the SP said though they looked similar to the original ones, they were merely dummies. Further investigations revealed that 10 members of the gang had escaped in two cars.

This prime accused, Mohandoss, used to harbour criminals, especially professional killers, at the house. After an incident of double murder in Kerala’s Elapatti in 2017, the accused including ‘Estate’ Mani went into hiding at Mohandoss’s house in Pottalkulam.

He was a noted criminal against whom cases, including cheating people to the tune of Rs 77 lakh in Kodaikanal and idol theft in Kothagiri, were pending. Bodi Taluk police have booked him under Section 399 of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act, sources said.