Overview

• Jaffar Gulam Hussein Irani, a member of the Irani gang with over 150 cases against him, was shot dead by Chennai police on March 27 during a recovery operation near Taramani Railway Station.
• The police claim Irani opened fire with a concealed pistol, prompting officers to retaliate in self-defense; his family alleges the encounter was staged and demands an impartial investigation.
• Irani's accomplices were arrested after six chain-snatching incidents in Chennai on March 25, with stolen gold chains and a motorcycle recovered during the investigation.
• Security has been increased in Thane's Irani Basti to prevent unrest, as the locality is known for its history of criminal activity and tensions with law enforcement.
• This marks the fourth police encounter in Chennai since 2024, raising broader concerns about extrajudicial killings and police practices in the region.