History-sheeter shot dead near Chennai’s Madhavaram 

History-sheeter 'Thoppai' Ganesh shot dead by police in Chennai after attacking officers during attempted escape.

A history-sheeter ‘Thoppai’ Ganesh was shot dead by police near Madhavaram in the early hours of Monday (March 16, 2026) when he attempted to escape after attacking the police team who surrounded him. 

He is said to have been involved in at least 30 criminal cases, including five murders and a dacoity case reported in Puzhal recently. He also has murder, robbery, attempt to murder, NDPS and Arms Act cases on him, according to police. The history sheeter was also known as Ganesh alias Dilli Ganesh alias Thoppai Ganesh (38), and he was a resident of BV Colony, Vyasarpadi. He was an A+ Category History Sheeter of the MKB Nagar Police Station.

History-sheeter ‘Thoppai’ Ganesh’, who has been involved in at least 30 criminal cases, including five murders. | Photo credits: Special arrangement

It may be recalled that in the early hours of January 30, at the residence of Vijayakumar, a businessman and a resident of Mahaveer Garden Main Road, East Kavangarai, Puzhal, six unidentified men, wearing masks and caps and armed with knives, forcibly entered when Vijayakumar’s wife, Vasantha, was about to leave for a morning walk. The gang threatened Vasantha, her husband, their two daughters and her mother-in-law at knifepoint, tied them up with ropes, assaulted them and issued death threats. The robbers allegedly then fled with ₹25 lakh in cash kept in the house, about 15 sovereigns of gold jewellery — including diamond-studded gold earrings, gold chains, bangles, bracelets and rings worn by Vasantha and her family members.  The suspects escaped in a car. 

In connection with the incident, Puzhal Police had arrested five suspects including an advocate already. They said they were looking for the main accused, Thoppai Ganesan who was absconding. 

Police sources said he was on the run for a long time after committing the offence. After tracing his hideout, which is a building under construction, a police team surrounded him. He attacked a policeman and tried to escape. Following this, police inspector Bhoopathy Raj and his team opened fire after giving him a warning, said sources. He was critically injured and rushed to Government Stanley Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.