A petty shopkeeper in Velankanni police limits in Nagapattinam district was arrested by the police for selling rat poison paste to children.
The action comes in the wake of three children purchasing the paste from the shop and attempting to end their lives recently. All three were rescued and admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital at Orathur after first aid at a local hospital. The health condition of all the three was stable, according to a police press release issued here.
Following the incident, the police have arrested Pushparaj, 46, the shopkeeper, for selling the paste to the children illegally and remanded him in judicial custody. The shop was also sealed, the release added.
Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, V. Balakrishnan, said that rat poison and pesticides should be sold only at licensed retailers. They should not be sold at petty shops or grocery stores, especially to minors and young men and women. Stern action would be taken against offenders under the provisions of the Insecticides Act 1968, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Mr.. Balakrishnan said in the release.
Mr. Balakrishnan had instructed District Superintendents of Police to conduct joint inspections with officials of the Department of Agriculture to check for illegal sale of rat poison and pesticides and initiate appropriate action against the offenders, the release added.
Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.
Published – August 11, 2026 07:40 pm IST
