Notorious criminal, associate killed in encounter

Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, Aug 1 (UNI) Notorious criminal Vellai Ravi, who planned to kidnap a former BJP MLA, was shot dead by a police team in an encounter at Santhapuram Village on the Bagalur-Bangalore National Highway near here today.

Police said a gang led by Ravi attempted to kidnap former BJP MLA Venkatasamy for a huge ransom, near here.

On getting information, a special police team reached the area to apprehend the gang.

On seeing the police party, the criminals hurled country made bombs at the police and also opened fire.

The police returned fire in which Vellai Ravi and his aide Guna were killed on the spot. A few policemen were also injured in the encounter.

Police removed the bodies to the Government Hospital here for post-mortem.

However, the police did not disclose the fate of other members of the gang.

UNI