Date:12/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/12/stories/2008071258190100.htm

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Undertrial killed in police encounter

Special Correspondent

The police inspecting the scene of encounter on Friday. — Photo: Special arrangement

CHENNAI: An undertrial who gave the police the slip some days ago was shot dead in an encounter by the police here early on Friday.

According to police sources, P. Suresh alias Baba Suresh (26) of Korukkupettai, lodged in Puzhal central prison, was brought to the George Town court on July 9 for obtaining police custody in a case.

He complained of illness and wanted to undergo treatment at the Government General Hospital. When the police took him there, he escaped. Under instructions from Commissioner of Police R. Sekar, a special team was formed to track down the suspect.

On Friday, the team received information that Suresh was hiding in the Kasimedu area. When the police reached the spot, he hurled country-made explosives at them. A police jeep was damaged. When the police tried to arrest him, Suresh opened fire from a country-made gun. The police returned the fire in self-defence. Suresh, who suffered bullet injuries, was taken to the Stanley Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Inspectors Jagadeesan and Jawahar and head constables Ganesan and Tamilmani were injured and admitted to the hospital. Two explosives and the country-made gun were seized from the scene of the encounter.

Director-General of Police K.P. Jain visited the injured policemen in the hospital.

Suresh was involved in 28 cases, including a murder, nine attempt-to-murder cases and five robberies.