Vigilant cops foil kidnap bid, nab 5

CHENNAI:: Five persons who attempted to kidnap a woman in broad daylight were caught in the act by vigilant police officials at Chitalapakkam on Tuesday. They were trying to get away in a white Sports Utility Vehicle when suburban police officials, who received information about the incident, gave chase and caught the five near the Selaiyur railway gate.
Police officials said N Meenakshi, a 29-year-old medical store employee, was being taken away by Maran (33), a civil engineer, A Mariadoss, district youth secretary of Puratchi Bharatham, Sankar (24), Murugesan (41) and his wife Selvi (34).
Officials said that Maran, who ran a construction company, had planned the kidnapping to avenge a past incident. Maran had proposed marriage to Meenkashi in December last year and despite her parents agreeing she refused to marry him reportedly because of a minor disability in his leg. Following this he had taken to following her and watched her closely for the next few weeks.
Around 10 am on Monday, Meenakshi had just opened the medical store where she worked when the five rushed up and forced her into the car. A passerby, who saw this, rushed to the nearby Chitalapakkam police station and informed officials. Inspector V Selvaraj along with other men from the station, rushed to the spot in a patrol vehicle and seeing the fleeing car gave chase. The kidnappers, after getting stuck at the Selaiyur railway gate took a diversion and entered into Poondy Bazaar, a crowded area, where they were blocked and nabbed by the police officials.
All five persons were placed under remand and charges filed against them under IPC Sections, 323, 341, 363 and 506 (1). Inspector Selvaraj told TOI, "The men had planned to take the girl to Mayilam near Tindivanam, where Maran was to force her to marry him at a temple. Following this, they had plans to keep her in a house at Salem. We have placed them all under judicial custody and are enquiring into the matter."