Cop murder in Usilampatti: Main suspect killed in police encounter

CHENNAI: Police opened fire on the key accused in the murder of a Madurai police constable, while trying to nab him in Theni district on Saturday. The suspect Ponvannan (28) sustained injuries to his stomach and has been admitted to GRH, Madurai.

According to the case file, head constable B Muthukumar (37) of Kallapatti village, who was deputed as the driver of Usilampatti Town Inspector of Police, was beaten to death by Ponvannan and his accomplices on Thursday. The gang allegedly peddled ganja. Muthukumar had reportedly warned Ponvannan to stop his criminal activities. This irked Ponvannan who murdered the cop.

Investigations revealed that Ponvannan is a notorious criminal and a native of Bomminayakanpatti in Theni district. He has cases of murder, attempt to murder, theft and ganja peddling booked against him in Theni.

Madurai Superintendent of Police BK Arvind formed special teams to trace him. After scouring hours of CCTV footage and cell phone records, they tracked him to his hideout in a remote forest area near Cumbum in Theni.

When the police tried to nab him, he attacked one of the cops who subsequently opened fire on him in self-defence.

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