Accused in abduction and murder case killed in encounter

Police said Mohanraj, the accused, was being taken to nearby Pollachi for interrogation in a van when he suddenly snatched a revolver of the escort policeman Muthumlai and fired one round at him. However, another escort Jothi pounced upon him and fired killing Mohanraj on the spot.

Muthumalai, who sustained bullet injuries in the abdomen, and Jothi were admitted to a government hospital here.

Eleven-year-old Muskin and her seven-year-old brother Ritik Jain were abducted by Mohanraj, van driver, while taking them to the school a fortnight ago.

The girl was allegedly raped by Mohanraj and his friend Manoharan. Both the children were later murdered and their bodies dumped in a canal near Pollachi.

The incident had sent shockwaves across the state and rotten eggs were thrown on the accused by the public when they were produced before court soon after their arrest.

City Police Commissioner Sylendra Babu told reporters that the incident occurred when Mohanraj was being taken to a spot near Pollachi, where he threw the children into a canal.

When the police van reached Kuppamedu in the city outskirts, Mohanraj "suddenly" snatched revolver from sub-inspector Muthumali and placed it on the neck of the driver and asked him to divert the vehicle to Kerala.

When the driver refused to do so, Mohanraj fired at Muthumalai and Jyothi, another sub-inspector.

After Jyothi managed to overpower him, inspector Annadurai fired three rounds at Mohanraj killing him on the spot.

Mohanraj had bullet injuries on his chest, right eye and middle of the forehead, Sylendra Babu said.

Muthumalai sustained bullet injuries on left arm and abdomen while Jyothi suffered injury on his left arm. They were admitted to a privte hospital.