Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Mar 24 (UNI) An autorickshaw driver, who was accused in the murder of a police constable, attached to the special crime team of Sivaganga district police, was shot in the leg in self defenve, when he attacked a Sub Inspector of Police (SI) with a knife and tried to escape at Perungudi in Madurai district on Monday.

Police said the half-burnt body of police constable Malaiarasan (36) was recovered at a secluded spot near Echaneri locality on the Madurai-Thoothukudi Inner Ring Road on March 18.

The Perungudi police have registered a case and are investigating the case.

Meanwhile, a special police team after a detailed probe arrested the autorickshaw driver Moovendran in connection with the murder.

He was taken to the scene of crime by the police team for interrogation today.

Moovendran took a knife buried at the spot and attacked the SI Marikannan, attached to Thirumangalam police station in a bid to escape.

The injured SI fired on Moovendran with his service pistol in self defence.

Moovendran, who sustained a gunshot wound on the knee of the right leg and the injured SI were admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital here for treatment.

Investigations revealed that Moovendran, while dropping Malaiarasan in the autorickshaw, noted the personal identification number (PIN) of a payment app of his mobile number.

Malaiarasan, who was in an inebriated condition, was taken to the secluded spot, where Moovendran murdered him and burnt the body.

Later, he had withdrawn Rs 80,000 by transferring the amount from Malaiarasan’s mobile app to another two account holders.

Police are searching Siva, an accomplice of Moovendran in connection with the murder.

UNI GSM CS