Man tries to kidnap 5-year-old from house at midnight

A middle-aged man, who tried to kidnap a five-year-old from a house on the outskirts of Thane, was caught by neighbours, thrashed and then handed over to the police after midnight on Sunday. The child was asleep with her grandmother in the house, in the Shildaighar area, while the rest of the family was outside participating in the Janmashtami celebrations when the incident happened.

The grandmother was awakened by the cries of the child and she drew the attention of the people outside. He was caught after a bit of hide-and-seek. The police gave the name of the man as Nimayi Lalu Sadole and learned through an interpreter that he hails from West Bengal. The child's parents live in Panvel and she has been in Shildaighar with her aunt, who is helping with her schooling. The man has been charged with kidnapping and trespass. He was produced in court on Monday and remanded to police custody.