Mumbai, Nov 9 (Mid-Day): A house painter in Sewri Koliwada was arrested for attempting to kidnap a three-year-old girl. Identified as Mohammad Iqbal Habib Ansari, 28, the watchman and other residents of the victim’s residence, Precious Building on TJ Road, allegedly caught the accused red-handed while he led the girl out of the building premises.

They sent the girl inside, questioned him and let him go. The victim’s father, Kailesh Hatkhare, filed a complaint at RAK Marg police station, the next day. The police arrested Ansari in Sewri Koliwada on November 7.

Police sub-inspector Tejasvi Kadam said, “In his statement, Ansari denies trying to kidnap the girl. He claims he was helping the girl who was about to trip over a step while playing. The residents thought he was kidnapping the child.”

A complaint has been registered under Sections 363 (kidnapping) and 511 (attempting punishable offence) of the Indian Penal Code. Ansari was presented in Bhoiwada court and will remain in custody till November 14.