Man accused of drug peddling shot on knee by police near Chidambaram

A 25-year-old man accused of peddling ganja was shot on the knee by the police at Usuppur railway gate near Chidambaram of Cuddalore district early on Sunday (November 23, 2025), when he allegedly tried to escape after assaulting a police constable.

Police said the case was linked with the recovery of 5 kg of ganja from two persons who were travelling in a TNSTC bus from Vellore to Chidambaram. The duo identified as Sriram and Chandru was arrested during a vehicle check at the Alpettai check-post on Saturday (November 22).

According to police, during interrogation, the accused said the contraband was meant for supply to one Naveen in Vallampadugai in Cuddalore district. Naveen, a ganja peddler was on the run since the recovery of 20 kg of ganja from his possession in another case in April this year.

Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar said a special team tracked down Naveen and two others at a cremation ground in Sivapuri on Saturday. The police nabbed Jayakumar and Arul while Naveen fled the scene. The team intensified their search and nabbed him on Saturday night.

Cuddalore Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar inspecting the site near Usuppur railway gate where the accused was shot by the police on Sunday (November 23, 2025) morning
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Special Arrangement

They brought him to the Annamalai Nagar police station and interrogated him. After recording his statement, the special police team led by Inspector Ambedkar took him to Usuppur railway gate near Sivapuri on Sunday morning where he claimed he had concealed the contraband and a machete.

Police claimed that after reaching the location, the accused grabbed his machete and attacked constable Ayappan. The Inspector Ambedkar “warned him and asked him to surrender.” As he refused to comply, the Inspector opened fire on his right knee. The injured constable and the accused were admitted to the Chidambaram Government General Hospital.

Mr. Jeyakumar said the accused Naveen had nine cases including five ganja cases pending against him in various police stations in Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai and Chennai.