Construction labourer kidnaps and tries to molest minor, held

Police said the incident happened around 3 am in the morning when the girl was sleeping inside her house in Melapalayam in Tirunelveli. A man surreptitiously entered the house and kidnapped her. 

When her mother woke up, she was shocked to see her child missing. She immediately alerted her husband, a driver, and they both started searching near the house for their child. 

On hearing their loud calls, neighbours too rushed out of their houses and joined in the search for the child. When few youngsters went in search of her to the neighbouring areas, they heard the alarm of a girl from a bush. As they attempted to close in on the spot, a man tried to escape but was caught. 

He was tied to an electric post and received heavy blows from them. He was later handed over to the Police, who were informed about the incident. During their investigation, Police identified the culprit as Justin, a construction labourer working in the neighbourhood. 

The girl was rescued and was sent to Palayamkottai Government Hospital for treatment. 

Police said the culprit would be booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and would be arrested.