A vehicle check in Coimbatore turned into a 40-km police chase after a Karnataka-registered car allegedly carrying gutkha did not stop for police. Police in Kovilpalayam had received information that gutkha and other banned tobacco products were being transported from Karnataka. A team led by Sub-Inspector Vignesh and Head Constable M Velmurugan was checking vehicles in the Vilankurichi area when they tried to stop the car. According to police, the driver did not stop and drove towards Avinashi. Velmurugan climbed onto the car and held on to its roof as it continued towards the Avinashi National Highway. He remained on the roof for around 40 km. Police officers, highway patrol personnel and an ambulance joined the pursuit. The car was eventually stopped near the Avinashi-Mangalam junction, close to Annapoorna Hotel. Velmurugan was brought down safely. Police searched the vehicle and seized around 170 kg of banned gutkha tobacco products, along with the car. Three men from Rajasthan, identified as Babu Dhara, Rajesh Kumar and Suresh Kumar, were arrested. According to the police, the tobacco products had been purchased from an unidentified person in Bengaluru's Electronic City and were being transported. Police later took the arrested men to the area for investigation. According to police, Rajesh Kumar and Suresh Kumar attempted to escape by jumping from a bridge and suffered arm fractures. They were taken to Coimbatore Government Hospital for treatment. All three were produced before a court, and steps were being taken to send them to custody.