Kovai man killed in bid to escape from police chase

Following a strong protest by public and relatives of the deceased, a policeman was placed under suspension. 

The police said that the victim, who was riding the two-wheeler and his friend and pillion rider Silambarasan (26), were from a village in Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. Staying at KVR Nagar in the city they worked in an apparel unit at Veerapandi Pirivu. They were on their way to Ganapathypalayam near Palladam to meet a friend late on Saturday night. The police said that they stopped the bike the duo was riding as part of their vehicle check.

But Suresh did not stop the bike. Police constable Jabestine Raj and a few Home Guards who were conducting the vehicle check started chasing the duo. The duo was at Semmanampalayam village on the Palladam to Ganapathypalayam Road when the bike rammed a road side glow sign board before it fell into a road side canal. Suresh succumbed to multiple injuries on the spot.

Pillion rider Silambarasan was rushed to the Palladam Government Hospital and later referred to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Shortly after midnight the agitated relatives of the victim and hundreds of villagers resorted to road blockade alleging harassment by home guards and members of the friends of police. They also sought the arrest who chased the duo. 

They also demanded a compensation of Rs. 50 lakh for the family of Suresh and a government job for a relative. Not allowing the police to take the victim’s body from the road till their demands were met the road blockade went on till 10 a.m. on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, Tirupur City Police Commissioner Sanjay Mathur placed constable Jabestine Raj under suspension. 

Police sources said that it looked like the victim did not have the documents for the vehicle and this could have been the reason for him evading the vehicle check by the police. A post mortem would reveal if he was drunk, a police officer added.