PALAKKAD: In Kizhakkethara, Kanchikode, a 3-year-old child narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping by Senthilkumar, a resident of Salem Athur Amman Palayam in Tamil Nadu. The suspect was arrested and presented in the Palakkad First Class Judicial Magistrate Court following his attempt to abduct the child who belonged to a migrant worker family from Uttar Pradesh.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening when Senthil Kumar, under the influence of alcohol lured the child with a chocolate while they were playing in their backyard. He attempted to flee with the child in an auto-rickshaw but his actions aroused suspicion from the driver and locals.

The vigilant auto driver became wary when he noticed a child from Uttar Pradesh being taken by someone from Tamil Nadu. Initially assuming it might be a neighbor's child, the driver's doubts increased when the suspect directed him towards a petrol pump and then to the Kanchikode railway station.

Sensing something amiss, the driver halted the auto and alerted nearby locals and other auto-rickshaw drivers. As they questioned the suspect, he attempted to escape but was seized and handed over to the authorities by the residents.

The parents of the child recognized the accused having seen him multiple times in the colony area. Walayar Inspector A Adam Khan indicated plans to request the custody release of the accused for further inquiries. The timely intervention of the auto driver and locals prevented a potential tragedy.