Chennai: A man accused in multiple chain-snatching cases was shot dead by police near Taramani railway station on Wednesday morning after he allegedly opened fire, officials said. The deceased, identified as Jaffar Ghulam, was part of a criminal gang from Maharashtra involved in a series of chain-snatching incidents across the city, according to Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun.
Accused Caught at Chennai Airport and Railway Station
Three individuals from Maharashtra were linked to the crime spree. Police arrested Jaffar and his accomplice, Misamum Dhusvasam Mesam, at Chennai airport on Tuesday as they attempted to flee. Jaffar was inside a flight set to depart for Hyderabad when air traffic control was alerted. His accomplice, Mesam, was also at the airport but was stopped from boarding due to lack of proper identification.
The third suspect, Salman Husaain, was arrested at Chennai Central railway station. Police said all three confessed to the crimes.
Gunfight at Taramani Railway Station
According to a police statement, Jaffar was taken to Taramani railway station to retrieve stolen jewellery and the vehicle used in the crime. However, he retrieved a hidden country-made pistol from the crime vehicle and opened fire at the officers.
“Despite multiple warnings, he fired again,” the statement said. In response, police shot him in self-defense, critically injuring him. He was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body has been sent for post-mortem at Royapettah Government Hospital Mortuary.
During the investigation, police recovered six stolen gold chains worth 26 sovereigns.
Mumbai-Based Criminal Network
Investigators revealed that the gang was based in Mumbai and had over 50 cases registered against them there.
“This is a big gang, as confirmed by Mumbai police. They had no local support, but one of them had arrived earlier to plan the crime,” Arun said. Police also found that the motorcycle used in the crime was registered in Karnataka, and authorities are investigating whether it was stolen.
Fourth Encounter Killing in Chennai Since 2024
This marks the fourth police encounter in Chennai this year. In July 2023, an accused in the murder of BSP leader K Armstrong, Thirivengadam, was shot dead when he allegedly attacked police while they attempted to recover weapons.
In September 2023, two gangsters, Kakkathope Balaji and Siezing Raja, were also killed in separate encounters within a week. At the time, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) summoned the Chennai police commissioner, but the state government defended the killings as acts of self-defense.
