CHENNAI: History-sheeter ‘Kakkathope’ Balaji was killed in police encounter near Vyasarpadi Jeeva railway station, in North Chennai.
The notorious gangster, Balaji alias ‘Kakkathope’ 40, was wanted in over 40 criminal cases, including extortion and murder.
A police team, led by Inspector Buhari, tracked Balaji down to the B&C quarters on early Wednesday.
When officers attempted to apprehend him, Balaji attacked the team, injuring one officer. In retaliation, the police opened fire, injuring Balaji.
He was rushed to Government Stanley Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Balaji had been involved in the murders of James and Kamaraj near Ennore. After the conviction of fellow gangster Nagendran and the imprisonment of Ennore Dhanasekar, Balaji held sway over parts of north Chennai, while another criminal, Sambavam Senthil, remained in hiding for over two decades.
Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun, who took charge in July 2024, had vowed to crack down on criminal activities in the city. “We will speak their language so they understand,” he stated.
Following this declaration, another gangster, Thiruvengadam, 33, involved in the murder of BSP leader Armstrong in early July, was also killed in an encounter.
Balaji had close ties with notorious criminal CD Mani and maintained contacts with other rowdies in the region. In March 2020, henchmen of Sambavam Senthil attempted to assassinate Balaji and CD Mani by throwing country-made bombs at their SUV near Kamarajar Arangam in Teynampet, but both narrowly escaped the attack. Balaji was a native of Kakkathope near Mannadi.