 When his criminal activities was extended throughout the city, the Government of Tamil Nadu commissioned a special team, Operation Asai, headed by then Chennai Superintendent of Police C.K.Gandhirajan

On 30 July 1996, Gandhirajan and team gunned down Asaithambi and his gang in front of Loyola College, Chennai.For his actions, Gandhirajan was awarded the President's Police Medal for Gallantry.