{
  "id": 10240728,
  "title": "Tamil Nadu Cop Clings To Speeding SUV Roof For 40 Km During Dramatic Chase To Nab Gutkha Smugglers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/tamil-nadu-cop-clings-to-speeding-suv-roof-for-40-km-during-dramatic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T15:20:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/tamil-nadu-cop-clings-to-speeding-suv-roof-for-40-km-during-dramatic-chase-to-nab-gutkha-smugglers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chennai: A 38-year-old police officer displayed remarkable bravery during an intense 40-kilometer chase, clinging onto the roof of a speeding SUV. The dramatic pursuit, which took place early Sunday morning, involved three suspected gutkha smugglers who were allegedly carrying 230 kg of the prohibited tobacco product. The chase commenced when police attempted to stop the vehicle at Kaikolapalayam, following intelligence about the movement of the consignment from Bengaluru to Coimbatore. As the SUV accelerated away from the interception, head constable M Velmurugan, who was speaking to the occupants through an open window, was trapped by the driver who raised the glass. Velmurugan held on to the roof rails as the vehicle sped through Coimbatore's busiest roads, occasionally reaching speeds of up to 100 kmph. The chase concluded near Mangalam junction in Tiruppur, where police managed to block the SUV. The three suspects, identified as Babu Dhara, 27, Rajesh, 23, and Suresh, 20, abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but were eventually apprehended. Two of the men sustained fractures to their upper limbs during the escape attempt. The SUV was found to contain around 230 kg of gutkha.",
  "summary": "Chennai: In a daring act, a 38-year-old head constable clung to the roof rails of a speeding SUV for more than 40 km as police pursued three suspected smugglers carrying about 230 kg of banned gutkha in a dramatic early-morning chase that stretched from Coimbatore district into Tiruppur on Sunday. Driver Accelerates After Police Interception M Velmurugan of the Kovilpalayam police station ended…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV - India News",
        "title": "In Dramatic Chase, Tamil Nadu Cop Travels 40 kms On Smugglers' Car Roof",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/in-dramatic-chase-tamil-nadu-cop-travels-40-kms-on-smugglers-car-roof",
        "published": "2026-09-27T14:33:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}