Tamil Nadu: Man shot dead over previous enmity in Vellore; accused, SI injured during weapon recovery operation

An accused was shot in the leg after allegedly attacking a police Sub-Inspector and attempting to escape during a weapon-recovery operation, police said on Tuesday.

A 45-year-old man was shot dead and his friend seriously injured in a country-made firearm attack near Gudiyatham in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district. The attack was allegedly carried out over previous enmity. As this happened, the accused was shot in the leg after allegedly attacking a police Sub-Inspector and attempting to escape during a weapon-recovery operation, police said on Tuesday.

The deceased was identified as Gnanavel (45), a resident of Sengundram village near Gudiyatham, who was engaged in agriculture and finance-related business. His friend Raghu sustained serious injuries in the firing and is undergoing treatment. The accused, Poovarasan (30), a resident of the same area, allegedly had a previous dispute with Gnanavel. According to police, more than 10 criminal cases, including murder, robbery and chain-snatching cases, are pending against him.

According to police, Gnanavel and Raghu were standing near the Sengundram bus stand and talking when Poovarasan allegedly arrived with a concealed country-made firearm and opened fire at them. Gnanavel sustained bullet injuries to his chest and head, while Raghu suffered injuries to his hands. Both were rushed to the Gudiyatham Government Hospital, where doctors declared Gnanavel dead on arrival. His body was subsequently shifted to the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Following the incident, Gudiyatham Taluk Police registered a case and launched an intensive search, eventually arresting Poovarasan near Sengundram. During interrogation, police took the accused to a hilly area in Sengundram to recover the country-made firearm and ammunition allegedly used in the murder. During the operation, Poovarasan allegedly attacked Sub-Inspector Raja and attempted to escape from police custody.

Police personnel opened fire to prevent his escape, hitting him in the right leg. Sub-Inspector Raja sustained an injury to his left hand during the attack. Both Poovarasan and the injured Sub-Inspector were admitted to the Gudiyatham Government Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, relatives of Gnanavel gathered in large numbers at the hospital following the murder, creating a tense situation. Additional police personnel were deployed to maintain security. The murder and the subsequent firing during the police operation have triggered tension in and around Gudiyatham. (ANI)