A police head constable in Tamil Nadu helped stop an alleged gutka smuggling attempt after holding on to the roof of an SUV for nearly 40km while three suspected smugglers allegedly tried to escape.
The chase continued along Avinashi Road before a highway patrol team intercepted the vehicle at Karumathampatti on Sunday morning.
Police Attempt To Stop SUV Near Kovilapalayam
Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Kovilapalayam sub-inspector Vignesh and head constable M Velmurugan attempted to stop an SUV near Vilankurchi at around 5.45am.
The vehicle, registered as KA 05 NG 7692, slowed down when the police approached. Velmurugan reportedly climbed onto the SUV, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and accelerated towards Avinashi.
Constable Holds Onto Roof As SUV Speeds Away
As the vehicle picked up speed, Velmurugan held firmly onto its roof rails and remained on top of the SUV.
Vignesh immediately alerted the Karumathampatti police and the highway patrol team operating on Avinashi Road. The teams followed the SUV for nearly an hour before managing to intercept it at Karumathampatti.
Velmurugan was rescued from the vehicle and was not injured during the incident.
Police Recover Over 100kg Of Gutka
After stopping the SUV, police searched the vehicle and allegedly recovered more than 100kg of gutka products.
The three occupants were identified as P Babu Dhara, 27, A Rajesh, 23, and S Suresh, 20. All three are from Rajasthan, according to police.
Investigators said the suspects were allegedly transporting the gutka consignment from Karnataka to Coimbatore. Police seized the SUV along with the gutka products.
Ministers Speak To Constable, Congratulate Him
Prohibition and excise minister K Muthusamy and backward classes welfare minister R S Rajakannappan later spoke with Velmurugan over a video call and congratulated him for his actions.
The ministers said they would also bring the constable's actions to the attention of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
Velmurugan Recalls The Dramatic Chase
Speaking to TOI, Velmurugan described how the police team's attempt to stop the vehicle turned into a chase. “When we approached the vehicle, the driver stopped and rolled down the window. While we were questioning the occupants, he suddenly started moving the car and closed the window, trapping the SI’s hand inside. Our SI ran for a few metres with his hand still trapped inside. Luckily, the SI fell on the road without any injuries, but I climbed atop the SUV. I realised that the suspects should not be allowed to escape, so I held on to the rails tightly till they were captured. As police personnel, we were simply doing our duty.”
[With TOI inputs]
