Police opens fire at murder accused in Coimbatore

CHENNAI: The Coimbatore city police opened fire at Sanjay Raja (31), who was arrested for murdering R Sathyapandi in full public view on 12 February, after he shot at the police team in a bid to escape.

A police team took the history sheeter to Karattumedu to recover a pistol kept in hiding on Tuesday morning. As soon as he took the pistol from the hideout place, the accused began to threaten the cops and also opened fire targeting a sub inspector, who however managed to hide behind a tree and escaped.

Therefore, another cop opened fire in self defence aiming at his legs and brought him down. The accused received a bullet injury in his left knee and has been admitted in Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for treatment.

Sanjay had surrendered before the Egmore court a week ago and he was taken into custody by Coimbatore city police for five days. Police said he was also involved in the murder of Hindu Munnani supporter C Biju of Ram Nagar in 2020.