Chennai, September 29: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday invited Head Constable M. Velmurugan of the Kovilpalayam police station in Coimbatore to the Secretariat and felicitated him for his courageous efforts to prevent the smuggling of gutka, risking his own life in the process.
The Chief Minister appreciated the officer’s courage, presence of mind and commitment to duty. He advised Velmurugan to remain careful and safe while performing his duties. Director General of Police and Head of Police Force Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal was present during the felicitation. The Chief Minister also presented a gift to the head constable.
The incident that drew statewide attention occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 27. A police team led by Sub-Inspector V. Vignesh and Head Constable Velmurugan intercepted a Karnataka-registered SUV suspected of carrying banned gutka products in the Vilankurichi area near Kovilpalayam around 5.45 a.m. When the occupants attempted to flee, the vehicle sped away. Velmurugan climbed onto the roof of the moving SUV and clung to the roof rails as the vehicle travelled nearly 40 kilometres towards Avinashi along Avinashi Road, passing the Kaniyur toll plaza.
A coordinated chase involving other police units and support vehicles followed. The SUV was intercepted near Avinashi in Tiruppur district. Three men—identified as P. Babu Dhara (27), A. Rajesh (23) and S. Suresh (20), all from Rajasthan—were arrested. Police seized a large quantity of banned gutka products, reported as 231 kg, along with the vehicle. The accused were transporting the consignment from Bengaluru to Coimbatore.
Video footage of Velmurugan holding on to the roof of the speeding vehicle, recorded by motorists and an NHAI ambulance crew, circulated widely on social media and drew public praise for the officer’s determination. Earlier, prohibition and other ministers had congratulated him through video calls and assured that the matter would be brought to the Chief Minister’s attention.
Speaking after the incident, Velmurugan said the team had been acting on a tip-off and conducting vehicle checks. When the driver suddenly accelerated and attempted to escape, he climbed onto the vehicle because the suspects could not be allowed to flee. He described the action as part of his duty as a police officer.
The police department stated that Velmurugan’s decision to remain on the roof despite the risk to his life helped prevent the suspects from escaping and enabled the seizure of the contraband. The felicitation at the Secretariat underscores official recognition of exemplary field-level policing against the illegal tobacco trade.
