Tamil Nadu cop's daring 40-km ride on car roof ends in gutkha smugglers' arrest

A policeman clung to the roof of a car as a group of suspected tobacco smugglers tried to evade police pursuit for around 40 kilometres in Tamil Nadu.

A consignment of around 300 kg of gutkha and other banned tobacco products was being transported in the vehicle, according to the police. A video of the police chase has also surfaced.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the matter. The daring actions of Head Constable Velmurugan, the policeman who held on to the car's roof during the chase, have drawn widespread appreciation.

The pursuit began after a police team near Coimbatore stopped a car during a routine vehicle check. The police personnel noticed several sacks of goods kept in the rear section of the car.

When a Sub-Inspector attempted to inspect them, the three occupants allegedly pushed the cops present there, locked the car doors and tried to speed away.

Acting instantly, Head Constable Velmurugan reportedly jumped onto the roof of the car and held on.

The car travelled through Vilankurichi, Kalapatti Four Roads and Chitra before reaching a toll plaza. Police said the driver paid the toll there using FASTag, crossed the barriers and continued driving at high speed.

Meanwhile, motorists who saw Head Constable Velmurugan hanging dangerously from the roof of the moving car recorded the incident on their mobile phones.

After receiving information about the chase, Kaniyur police, along with multiple ambulances, joined the pursuit. Avinashi police were also alerted and sprang into action to intercept the vehicle.

The chase, which continued for nearly 40 km, finally ended in Coimbatore's neighbouring district, Tiruppur. Police vehicles and ambulances surrounded the car and brought it to a halt.

However, two of the car's occupants allegedly managed to flee the scene, while the third one was immediately taken into custody. Following a search operation, the other two suspects were also caught by the police.

During interrogation, the three men said they hailed from Rajasthan and were transporting the tobacco products from Bengaluru, intending to deliver them in Coimbatore, the police claimed.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

Ambulance personnel and volunteers who assisted the police in pursuing the vehicle and rescuing the head constable have also been praised.- Ends