Coimbatore: A routine vehicle inspection turned into a high-speed pursuit in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district after a police head constable climbed onto the roof of a fleeing car and held on for nearly 30 km to prevent suspected gutkha smugglers from escaping.
The chase, which unfolded on the Kochi-Salem National Highway, ended near Thekkalur with the arrest of three men and the recovery of 170 kg of banned gutkha and other tobacco products. Two of the accused reportedly suffered fractures to their arms while attempting to flee, police said.
The incident took place between 5.45 am and 6.30 am on Sunday, when a police team comprising sub-inspector V Vignesh and head constable M Velmurugan from Kovilpalayam police station was checking vehicles on the stretch between Vilankurichi and Kalapatti.
The officers signalled a car bearing a Karnataka registration number, which was travelling from Bengaluru. The occupants initially refused to stop but slowed down shortly afterwards. When the policemen noticed several bundles inside the vehicle, Vignesh moved towards it to conduct a search.
The occupants allegedly pushed the officers, slammed the doors shut and accelerated. Velmurugan’s hand became caught in the door handle as the driver suddenly sped away, as reported by The New Indian Express.
“As we tried to intercept the vehicle, the driver suddenly accelerated, trapping my hand in the door handle. Determined not to let them escape, I grabbed the roof rails and hauled myself onto the top of the car,” Velmurugan said.
Police Surround Car After Long Pursuit
The driver sped towards Avinashi via Vilankurichi, Kalapatti Four Roads and Coimbatore Airport junction, with Velmurugan clinging to the car roof. The vehicle crossed the Kaniyur toll plaza through the emergency lane while another police vehicle chased it.
Several motorists filmed the head constable holding on to the moving car. The videos later went viral on social media.
Karumathampatti police and nearby ambulance teams joined the pursuit after being alerted. Avinashi police also joined the operation.
The chase ended near Thekkalur, close to the Tiruppur border, after police and ambulance vehicles surrounded the car. Two suspects tried to escape on foot but were later caught.
The arrested men were identified as P Babu Dhara, 27, A Rajesh, 23, and S Suresh, 20, all from Rajasthan.
Police recovered 170 kg of gutkha and other banned tobacco products, which the suspects had allegedly brought from Bengaluru for delivery in Coimbatore. The car was also seized.
The accused were taken to Kovilpalayam police station for questioning. Two of them suffered arm fractures while trying to escape.
Velmurugan’s bravery, and the help provided by ambulance staff and local volunteers, was lauded by the public and senior officials. Ministers K Vignesh and V Sampathkumar also called to commend him.