History sheeter Balaji shot dead in police encounter in Chennai

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 18 (ANI): History-sheeter alias Kakka Thoppu Balaji has been shot dead in a police encounter in Chennai's remote area of Viyasarpadi, said police.
The police were carrying out vehicle checkups at Mullaiagar Checkpost at around 4:30 am when the police came across a vehicle carrying two people with a bag. Both of them were hesitant to come out when asked by the police. When the Police insisted, one of them came out with the bag. The other person sitting in the car was Balaji, who immediately ran away with the car, police stated.
The police were alerted and chased the vehicle which stalled near the BSNL quarters. The history sheeter Balaji shot two rounds at the police and in return the police shot one round shooting Balaji in the chest said the police.
He was initially taken to Stanley Hospital, where he was declared dead and then taken to Royapet Government Hospital where his body was kept, said police.
The police recovered one sickle, around 10 kg Ganja from the bag that was being carried in the vehicle, said police. North Chennai JC Pravesh Kumar, Pulianthope DC Muthukumar and the Forensic team inspected the encounter spot.
The other suspect with Balaji was identified as Sathyamoorthy. The police have started interrogating him. The investigation office will submit the report to the Magistrate as a procedure to be followed. Further investigation into the matter is underway. More updates are likely to come in.
Relatives of Balaji condemned the police and alleged that the police had murdered Balaji.
As many as 58 cases were pending against Balaji, out of which, six were murder cases, 17 attempts to murder and one related to drug (ganja) dealing, stated police.
This is the second police encounter in Chennai city after BSP Leader Armstrong's Murder. Earlier Thiruvengadam, a history-sheeter was encountered on the Armstrong murder case. (ANI)