CHENNAI: In a significant development in the brutal murder of Special Sub-Inspector (SSI) Shanmugavel, the third accused, Manikandan, was shot dead in an encounter by Tamil Nadu Police on Thursday.
Manikandan was reportedly killed on the spot after he allegedly attacked the police team that had gone to arrest him.
According to police sources, a special team traced Manikandan to a hideout following a statewide manhunt.
When the police attempted to arrest him, he reportedly charged at Assistant Inspector Saravanan with a weapon.
In response, the officer opened fire in self-defence, resulting in Manikandan's death.
His body was sent for post-mortem examination and a magisterial inquiry has been ordered as per standard procedure.
The Tamil Nadu Police had formed six special teams to apprehend the accused involved in the killing of SSI Shanmugavel, who was hacked to death on the night of August 5 while on patrol duty at a coconut grove in Chikkanoothu village near Madathukulam in Tiruppur district.
The grove is owned by AIADMK MLA Mahendran, and the accused were working as estate labourers.
Shanmugavel had responded to a call regarding a family dispute inside the estate.