Synopsis
On March 24 in Chennai, a Sub Inspector from Madurai Rural District Police was injured in a knife attack by a murder suspect, Moovendran, leading the officer to fire in self-defence. Following the incident, both the SI and the suspect were hospitalized.Key Takeaways
- A Sub Inspector was attacked by a murder suspect.
- The suspect was arrested for the murder of a police constable.
- The SI fired his weapon in self-defence.
- Both the SI and the suspect were hospitalized.
- The incident highlights police challenges in handling suspects.
Chennai, March 24 (NationPress) A Sub Inspector (SI) with the Madurai Rural District Police resorted to firing in self-defence after being assaulted by a murder suspect near Perungudi in Madurai district on Monday.
The suspect, known as Moovendran, had been taken into custody in connection with the murder of police constable Malairasan, whose charred body was discovered on March 18 along the Madurai-Thoothukudi Inner Ring Road.
A specialized police unit had escorted Moovendran, an autorickshaw driver, to the crime scene for a reconstruction when he unexpectedly attacked Sub-Inspector Marikannan with a knife that he had concealed at the location. The officer received injuries to his left hand.
As Moovendran attempted to launch another attack, the SI drew his service weapon and shot the suspect in the right leg as a defensive measure. Both the sub-inspector and the suspect were subsequently admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for medical care.
Addressing the media, Madurai Superintendent of Police B.K. Arvind stated, “Moovendran was instructed to demonstrate how he executed the crime. He suddenly brandished a knife and attacked SI Marikannan, causing him to bleed. When the suspect tried to strike again, the SI fired at him in self-defence.”
According to police reports, constable Malairasan—who was part of a special crime team in Sivaganga district—had approached Moovendran in Madurai for a ride to Arapalayam. Initially, Moovendran, accompanied by his friend Siva, declined. However, the constable, reportedly intoxicated, offered more money to convince him.
While Malairasan was attempting to make a money transfer using a payment application on his phone, Moovendran allegedly memorized the PIN. Struggling with debts, he devised a plan to murder the constable for financial gain. He took the constable to a wine shop and compelled him to consume more alcohol. When Moovendran confided his plan to Siva, the latter fled the scene in panic.
Moovendran subsequently drove the constable to a remote area along the Inner Ring Road, doused him in petrol, and set him ablaze. After partially burning the body, he discarded it on the opposite side of the road.
During questioning, Moovendran admitted that he approached two strangers after the murder, claiming he urgently needed cash but his debit card wasn’t functioning. He used the constable’s phone to transfer Rs 40,000 each to the two men and made them withdraw the amounts from different ATMs. Police also discovered that Siva, who was aware of Moovendran’s intentions, later accepted Rs 10,000 from him. A search is ongoing to locate Siva.
