Chennai metropolitan police arrested Balu alias Karupannan (40), a notorious history sheeter of Vyasarpadi in Chennai, near the Erode SP office on Tuesday evening.
Police said that he had over 70 murder, dacoity and robbery cases pending against him and in 33 cases, courts had issued arrest warrants against him. He was at large for the last few years and the police formed five special teams to nab him. The teams visited many areas, including Kanyakumari district, to nab him.
Recently, they learnt that he was hiding at Nallithottam in Erode. They were, however, not able to trace him. On Tuesday, the Chennai police team tracked him down near the SP office on SBI Road.
He had come with his son to withdraw money from an ATM attached to the SBI Branch. When the police in mufti tried to arrest him, he raised an alarm and questioned them on what ground they were coming to arrest him. Soon, the passers by too joined in and tried to take him to the police station. Karupannan raised a hue and cry claiming that police tried to kill him in encounter. He demanded that reporters visit the area to ascertain the facts. While this drama was unfolding, cops from the the Town Police Station came to the spot and attempted to allay his fears. A few media persons were also seen gathering at the spot.
Karuppanan was taken to the Town Police Station. Preliminary inquiries revealed that he was hiding at Nallithottam for the past three years. Since he already had arrest warrants pending against him, there was no need for him to produce him at the local court, the police said and took him to Chennai.