The Chennai city police gunned down Shankar alias ‘Market Shankar’ in an encounter in the wee hours of Friday at New Avadi Road. The incident happened when the police went to arrest Shankar in connection with a case.
Shankar, hailing from Ayanavaram in Chennai, was shot dead when he tried to escape after attacking a police official.
Also known as ‘Rowdy Shankar’, the a 48-year-old history-sheeter had 50 criminal cases pending against him, including four on murder, sale of ganja and extortion. Shankar, who was arrested in nine occasions under the Goondas Act, was a known criminal and was under constant surveillance of the police.
According to police sources, a special team of officers led by Ayanavaram police inspector Natarajan went to arrest Shankar in connection with a murder case and for possession of ganja. The police took Shankar to a dump yard in New Avadi Road where the contraband was dumped.
When the police tried to recover the contraband, Shankar attacked one of the constables, Mubharak, with a machete that was hidden in the debris and made an attempt to escape. The police said that the team headed by Natarajan opened fire on him in self-defence and shot him down.
Mubharak has been admitted to the Kilpauk Government hospital for treatment.
The police said they were keeping a close watch on Shankar, who had been categorized in the ‘A’ list of criminals and had recently turned into drug peddling, even threatening local vendors for money.