The prime accused in the murder of a Special Sub-Inspector (SSI) in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, was shot dead by police on Thursday, August 7, 2025, in what authorities have described as an act of self-defense. Manikandan, who was accused of brutally hacking SSI Shanmugavel to death, was killed near the Upparu stream near Chikkanur.

SSI Shanmugavel was murdered on Tuesday night while trying to intervene in a family dispute. Manikandan, along with his father Moorthy and brother Thangapandian, were reportedly quarreling at a farm in Gudimangalam village, owned by AIADMK MLA C. Mahendran. According to reports, the argument escalated, and the two sons began assaulting their father. Neighbors alerted the police, and SSI Shanmugavel and Constable Azhagu Raja responded to the call. While Shanmugavel was arranging for the injured father to be taken to the hospital, Manikandan attacked him with a sickle, resulting in his death. Following the attack, Manikandan, his father, and brother fled the scene. Moorthy and Thangapandian were apprehended on Wednesday, while Manikandan remained at large.

According to police reports, a special team apprehended Manikandan on Wednesday evening and took him back to the crime scene to recover the weapon used in the murder. While at the scene, Manikandan allegedly attacked Sub-Inspector Saravanakumar with a sickle and attempted to escape. Sub-Inspector Saravanakumar then shot Manikandan in self-defense. Manikandan died on the spot, and his body was transported to the Tiruppur Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. Sub-Inspector Saravanakumar was admitted to Udumalpet Government Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The incident has sparked controversy and drawn criticism, with some questioning the police's handling of the situation and labeling the shooting as an extrajudicial killing. Congress party MPs Karti P Chidambaram and Sasikanth Senthil have publicly criticized the Tamil Nadu police. Karti Chidambaram stated that "encounters, custodial deaths, and torture are all unprofessional policing". Sasikanth Senthil described Manikandan's killing as "outrageous" and "cold-blooded murder by the State". This incident is the third encounter killing in Tamil Nadu in 2025. The incident has raised concerns among residents in and around Madathukulam near Tiruppur.