THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a shocking incident, an autorickshaw driver attempted to kidnap a 20-year-old BTech student in the city on Sunday. The victim who jumped out of the moving vehicle suffered injuries on her face and lost two teeth.
Police have arrested the autorickshaw driver who was identified as Kumaran, 42, of Naruvamoodu. He has been booked under charges of kidnap, outraging the modesty of a woman and causing hurt.
The girl, living near Chackai, boarded the vehicle from Kannammoola where she had a dance tuition. On the way to Chackai, the accused spoke in a weird manner and did not stop at her destination.
“When she yelled to stop the vehicle, he asked her to come with him. As the vehicle entered the highway towards Kazhakootam, she jumped off from the vehicle,” police said.Sensing danger after the driver refused to oblige to her direction to stop the vehicle, the girl had dialled 100 and requested help.
Seeing the woman jumping out of the vehicle, Anil, a home guard on duty at Chackai junction came to her help. By the time a Highway Patrol team had reached the spot after being directed by the police control room.
The accused who attempted to escape was chased and apprehended by a two-wheeler rider who was witness to the woman’s frantic jump.Pettah Circle Inspector S M Riyas said the accused drove a vehicle owned by another person. The accused was produced before court and remanded in judicial custody.