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Kollam Panchayat VP Catches Thieves In Heroic Filmy Chase On Busy Kerala Street
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Jalaja Suresh didn't lose her calm and acted mindfully after two women quietly stole a hefty sum from her handbag on a KSRTC bus.
In a gripping display of courage and quick thinking, Jalaja Suresh, vice‑president of Neduvathoor Grama Panchayat, took extraordinary action after two women quietly stole a hefty sum from her handbag on a KSRTC bus. The incident unfolded around 2 pm on Monday, as Jalaja — who also works as a post‑office recurring deposit (RD) agent — travelled from Kundara to Kottarakkara with nearly Rs 2 lakh in cash, intended for her RD clients.
As the bus slowed at Manikandan Althara near Kottarakkara, Jalaja stood to disembark. Two women, mistaking her movements for an invitation, inched closer to the exit. One even asked, 'Is this Chandamukku?" spotting her uneasy response prompted their retreat — a small detail that later would unravel the theft. Moments later, Jalaja discovered her bag's zip open and the cash missing.
Bypassing hesitation, she flagged down an autorickshaw and followed the bus to Chandamukku. Traffic stalled her chase until a vigilant traffic police officer intervened — opening a path and enabling her to close in as the suspects attempted to flee in another auto. Undeterred, Jalaja leapt onto the handle of the moving vehicle, yanked the two women from their seats, and apprehended them by their sarees. Bundles of stolen notes tumbled to the road during the scuffle.
The accused — identified as 45‑year‑old Shelvi and her 27‑year‑old daughter Athini from Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu — claimed innocence, asserting the cash 'fell out" of Jalaja's bag. However, police confirmed the duo are notorious habitual thieves, known to operate under various aliases. Authorities found substantial stolen funds hidden in their clothing. Their images have reportedly been circulated across 52 locations in Kerala following earlier incidents.
Jalaja, who has served on the panchayat for over a decade and managed RD accounts for about 25 years, credited her decisive reaction for the recovery. 'If I had hesitated even a bit, all the money would have been lost," she told reporters. She also praised the support of the autorickshaw driver, traffic police, and local bystanders
The duo was handed over to Kottarakkara local police. As investigations continue, authorities are verifying the mother‑daughter claim, though their pattern of theft across state lines suggests organised activity.
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