In a terrifying incident that sparked panic across Gudiyatham town, a three-year-old boy was kidnapped outside his home in broad daylight on Tuesday. The child was later rescued safely, but the abductor is still on the run, according to police officials.

The boy, identified as Yogesh, had just returned home for lunch with his father Venu, when the shocking incident took place. Surveillance footage shows a man, wearing a helmet, emerging from a white vehicle bearing Karnataka number plates. He is seen walking toward the house and, moments later, leaving with the child in his arms.

As the suspect fled the scene, Venu chased after him and attempted to stop the car, even clinging to its door before being thrown off. Speaking to the media shortly after the incident, he recalled, “The man wearing a helmet sprayed chilly powder into my eyes and took away my child. I pulled him, but he managed to escape with my son.”

Chilli Powder Found at the Site

Investigators confirmed that a packet of chili powder was recovered at the site and red stains were found on the father’s clothes, indicating the use of the irritant to disorient him during the abduction.

The dramatic moment of rescue was captured later in a video obtained by NDTV, which showed Venu holding his distressed son inside a police vehicle, just after officials located and retrieved the child. The exact circumstances of the rescue have not been fully disclosed, but officers said the child was found unharmed.

“The accused is at large. We don’t know the motive. We are investigating,” a senior police officer told NDTV. Authorities are now working to identify the kidnapper, whose car is believed to have had fake registration plates.

Immediately after the abduction, all border check-posts across Tamil Nadu were placed on high alert, and multiple teams were deployed to scan CCTV footage and track vehicle movements.

As of now, police say there have been no ransom calls or indications of personal enmity. The motive behind the crime remains unknown.

The incident, which occurred in a quiet residential street in the afternoon, has triggered widespread concern over child safety in the area. Residents and local leaders have called for increased vigilance and quicker response protocols in such cases.

Officials assure the public that every effort is being made to identify and arrest those involved in the abduction.