Days after the alleged “encounter” of a chain snatcher in Chennai, a history sheeter has been shot dead by police in Madurai. Extrajudicial killings are often described as “encounters” by police. The deceased, identified as Subash Chandra Bose, was killed on the night of March 31. Police have again claimed it an act of self-defence.
According to reports, Subash attempted to flee in a vehicle when police tried to apprehend him for questioning in connection to the murder of notorious rowdy ‘Glamour’ Kali. Madurai Commissioner of Police (CoP) J Logananthan told media persons, “Subash didn't stop the car when police ordered him to. They gave chase past Perungundi junction and he stopped the car near Viraganur. But when they tried to nab Subash, he attacked them with a machete and injured two police personnel.”
The CoP also claimed that Subash was carrying a country-made pistol, which he opened fire at police. “When police returned fire, they were aiming for his legs. But Subash bent down at that exact moment and the bullet hit his chest instead,” Loganathan further claimed.
Subash was taken to a private hospital nearby, where he was pronounced dead. His body was then sent to the Government Rajaji Hospital for postmortem. The two injured police personnel have also been hospitalised, police informed.
Reports presently vary on whether police still consider Subhash a suspect in Glamour Kali’s murder. P Kaleeswaran, known as Glamour Kali, was hacked to death at Thanakkankulam in Madurai district on March 22. Seven others have been arrested in connection with his killing so far, reports say.
Second extra judicial killing in days
On March 25, Jaffar Ghulam Hussain Irani, an accused in the string of chain snatching in Chennai, was shot dead hours after he was dramatically arrested from the Chennai airport while attempting to flee the state. The chain snatchings, arrest and the killing all occurred on the same day.
Condemning Jaffar’s killing, the rights organisation People’s Watch had pointed out on March 28 that 19 persons have been shot dead in 16 extrajudicial killings since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) came to power in 2021. Subash’s killing has raised the total to 20 now. Jaffar’s killing also marked the fourth extrajudicial killing in Chennai since Arun took over as CoP eight months ago.