Criminal “Vellai” Ravi, killed in encounter

A special team from the Central Crime Branch police (CCB), Chennai, shot dead ‘Vellai’ Ravi of Chennai and his associate Guna in an encounter at Ichangur on the Bagalur-Sarjapuram Road near Hosur on Wednesday.

Following a tip-off, the team led by S.R. Jangid, Additional Commissioner, Chennai City, Jayakumar, Assistant Commissioner, Pradeep and Thillai Natarajan, Inspectors, reached Hosur and combed nearby forest areas where ‘Vellai’ Ravi (40) and his associates were hiding. Mr. Jangid told The Hindu that Vellai Ravi, who was wanted in 20 cases, including five murder cases, and his associates had planned to kidnap Venkatasamy, former Hosur MLA, for a ransom of Rs.1.5 crore. T hey were planning to abduct him on Wednesday night.

On seeing the police, while three members of the gang escaped, the others hurled petrol bombs and opened fire on the police team. The police retaliated, killing Vellai Ravi and Guna.

In the incident, Mr. Jangid and Mr. Jayakumar sustained injuries.