Smuggler held under Goondas Act

The Kandhili police on Tuesday detained a 31-year-old sand smuggler, Thirupathy, of Annasagaram village, under the Goondas Act.

District Collector Ajay Yadav issued the detention order against the notorious sand smuggler following a recommendation from the Vellore Superintendent of Police, A Kayalvizhi. The detention order came into effect from June 5, police sources said.

Thirupathy was arrested for assaulting and attempting to murder village assistant (VA) of Paniyandapalli Panchayat, S Rajendran, when he had tried to stop him from mining sand illegally from Kottaaru riverbed in Jayapuram village on May 12.

He along with five others had tried to bury the VA alive in a five-foot-deep pit in the riverbed. Villagers rescued him after he shouted for help.

The Kandhili Police registered a case and arrested four persons, including a 14-year-old boy. Thirupathy surrendered before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court-V in Egmore in Chennai on May 15.