Child abducted, killed as parents refuse money

Chennai, Sep 26 (UNI) A two-and-a-half-year-old child was abducted and killed by a middle-aged jobless man as the baby's parents refused to give him money, at Sowcarpet Area in North Chennai late last night.

Police said the body of Monik, son of a steel merchant Anand (34) and his wife Shaila (24), was found with legs and head smashed on a railway track at Thirumullaivoyil, about 30 km from the city.

Anand, a native of Rajasthan, was on a business visit to Madurai when the incident occurred. He returned to the city this morning.

It all started when Anand's relative Juknu, who used to frequent the family to get money for his personal expenditure, came to the house last evening and asked for money.

Shaila refused to give money and said her husband was out of station. An enraged Juknu left the home in a huff. Later, he took Monik with him and said he would be back after getting him chocolates.

As he did not return after two hours, an anxious Shaila called up her father who was residing nearby and a complaint was registered with the Elephant Gate Police Station.

When police began search operations, Juknu called up the boy's mother at round 2200 hrs and said he had killed Monik and dumped the body near Ambattur Railway Station.

After intensive search operations, the body of Monik was found at Thirumullaivoyil Railway Station around midnight and sent to Government General Hospital for post-mortem.

Four special teams have been formed to nab Juknu, who was absconding.

A pall of gloom descended on Sowcarpet as the news spread and TV channels beamed the pictures of the wailing family.

UNI GV MDG SB AS1554