History Sheeter Killed in Police Encounter in Chennai's Akkarai

Chennai: Notorious history sheeter Raja was gunned down in a police encounter in Akkarai area of Chennai in the early hours of Monday, said police.

The criminal also known as Seizing Raja, was nabbed from Andhra Pradesh on Sunday in connection with BSP leader Armstrong murder case. He was gunned down while he was attempting to escape from police custody. He was en route Chennai when the encounter took place.

Hailing from Chengalpattu, Raja was a notorious gangster. He entered the world of crime by committing minor offences and gradually started blackmailing businessmen and kidnapping real estate tycoons, recruiting accomplices along the way. His rise to prominence earned him a spot in the A+ Plus list of criminals.

Notably, this is second police encounter in the city in a week and third since the murder of Armstrong. More details are awaited.

He had over 30 cases registered against him, including murder, attempted murder, extortion and kidnapping. He had 33 cases pending. He was one of the three main accused in the murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party state president Armstrong.

Earlier on September 18, another criminal, identified as Kakka Thoppu Balaji, was shot dead in a police encounter in Chennai's Viyasarpadi area. He was named accused in as many as 58 cases, out of which six were murder cases, 17 attempts to murder and one related to drug (ganja) dealing, according to the police.