Rape accused shot on knee during bid to evade arrest in Cuddalore

S. Sundaravelu (25) of S.K. Palayam in Cuddalore district
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The accused, identified as S. Sundaravelu (25) of S.K. Palayam in Panruti allegedly sexually assaulted an 80-year-old woman at Thirasu near Panruti on Monday (June 16) evening, before robbing her of her jewellery, when she had gone inside a casuarina grove to relieve herself, police said.

Following a complaint, a special team led by Panruti Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Raja was constituted to nab the accused. Superintendent of Police (SP) S. Jeyakumar said the team perused the CCTV footage in the area and traced the accused to a cashew orchard in Kadampuliyur where he was supposedly hiding. When confronted, he tried to escape after attacking police constable Kubendhiran with a machete, the officer said.

Inspector Velumani immediately pulled out his service pistol and shot Sundaravelu on his knee to save the constable, Mr. Jeyakumar said. The injured constable and the accused were taken to the Panruti General Hospital from where Sundaravelu was referred to the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital.

Mr. Jeyakumar said Sundaravelu was a history-sheeter and had cases against him in Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Erode and Thiruvennainallur police stations. Further investigations are on.