<![CDATA[Around 100 men, many of them with criminal records, had gathered near Chennai for the birthday celebrations. On Tuesday night, Binu, a murder accused with more than 28 cases against him, got a rather bad birthday surprise. Policemen gatecrashed his party and arrested 75 of his friends and peers, all on the run from the law the police told. Binu had been in hiding for two years, until a group of a criminals with a long record of serious crimes decided to welcome him back to the world of crime with a party to celebrate his 47th birthday. The party was organized in a lorry shed in Malayambakkam village near Poonamallee, and many alleged criminals were invited. Around 100 guests arrived for the party on 45 bikes and seven cars. On the menu were biriyani, a birthday cake, and crates of beer. The mood was festive. Fireworks were lit, and party poppers set off. For the cake-cutting, Binu was given a machete instead of a regular knife. Things were going as per plan until the police landed up as uninvited guests. It was a routine vehicle check that had yielded the lucky break. Pallu Madan was riding his bike to the party when he was intercepted by the police. When they found that he was wanted in some assault and extortion cases, they carted him away for interrogation. Madan then told them about the party, which was set to start at 9 p.m. It was only six when he was apprehended and police had ample time to prepare. K. Kannan, Assistant Commissioner, SRMC, Porur told that Pallikaranai police alerted Ambattur Deputy Commissioner Mr. S. Sarveshraj and he, in turn, alerted Police Commissioner Mr. A.K. Viswanathan. A meeting was called around 9 p.m. Special teams of more than 60 personnel were formed. They hired cabs and arrived around 11 p.m. Though the personnel were in plainclothes, someone raised an alarm. The crowd began to flee using the cover of darkness, and the police followed in hot pursuit. Some fled to North Malayambakkam, where the local residents, who had been alerted, nabbed 15 alleged gangsters. “The police nabbed 60 men, but nearly a dozen escaped. Special teams have been formed to catch them,” the police told. In all, 75 history-sheeters were arrested. But Binu, Kanagu, and Vicky alias Vignesh, managed to flee. A total of 45 two-wheelers, seven cars, 15 weapons and cell phones were seized. Binu, who became notrious in 2000, is an accused in three murder cases.]]>
