‘It’s acceptable in my culture’: Indian real estate agent gives bizarre reason for luring 9-year-old into his car in Canada

Manoj Govindbalunikam, 37, jailed for 18 months in Canada for kidnapping minor

An Indian real estate agent in Canada has told a court he kidnapped a nine-year-old boy because it was “acceptable in his culture”. Following his conviction, he is now fighting to avoid deportation.Manoj Govindbalunikam, 37, was found guilty of kidnapping a minor in Ontario in August 2023 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April. He has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping the boy. Manoj gave ice cream and toys to the child. Police also found photos of Manoj and the boy in a yellow Chevrolet Camaro.During sentencing arguments, Manoj’s lawyers asked the court for a conditional release that would help him avoid deportation from Canada.“Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Mr. Govindbalunikam is inadmissible and may face deportation if he is sentenced to six months or more in prison,” the lawyer said, according to CTV.The defense also said the incident should be viewed as a misunderstanding due to cultural differences. Manoj’s lawyer also said that offering food and gifts was normal in his hometown.The lawyer said that the provision of food and toys was just a “goodwill” gesture by Manoj: “The client also admitted that the provision of toys and food to the victim was a gesture of goodwill and had no intention or intention to do anything wrong or harmful.”He further claimed that the entire situation had been misunderstood: “He (Manoj) claimed that in his culture it was considered acceptable to talk to and provide transportation to anyone. Therefore, his claim that the crime was misunderstood was how the authorities viewed his actions.”Govindbalunikam said the allegations against him were rooted in racism. He claimed he had “never experienced racial discrimination before his arrest.”But Canadian courts rejected this explanation. Judge Michael Varpio said Govindbalunikam had lived in Canada long enough to understand the local norms and culture and that it was inappropriate to provide gifts or food to minors.“He has been a resident of Canada for too long to consider this an honest mistake,” the judge said.During the sentencing, the judge added that Manoj was well educated: “Mr Govind Balunikam has been working here for more than a decade and has worked in two demanding fields.”Govindbalunikam holds a degree in aerospace engineering from India and a master’s degree from the University of Toronto.The judge disagreed with the suggestion that it was just a ‘misunderstanding’: “I do not believe that the kidnapping was the result of a ‘cultural misunderstanding’ and that he mistakenly believed that taking a child away was acceptable. He has lived in Canada too long to consider it a harmless mistake.”According to the court, Govindbalunikam allegedly used a fidget spinner to lure the boy, then gave him his business card and convinced him to get into the car. He then told the child to leave his bike and fishing gear at the curling club, claiming there was no room in the car.The boy was later taken to a tavern where he bought ice cream. Witnesses at the tavern recognized the child but did not recognize Manoj and called the police. The boy was then driven to his home, but the vehicle did not stop. The boy’s father eventually spotted his son in the front seat of the car and confronted Govind Balunikam, who then gave him his business card.Police arrested him the next day. A search of his phone revealed photos of the child eating ice cream in the car and another photo of the child taken by a river.Govindbalunikam faces deportation proceedings as a result of his conviction.