A former Brampton real estate agent has been sentenced to jail for abducting a child in northern Ontario, a conviction that could now lead to his deportation from Canada.
Manoj Govindbalunikam, 37, received an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to abducting a child under the age of 14 in an incident that took place in Thessalon, Ontario, in August 2023. Because the sentence exceeds six months, it may trigger inadmissibility under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, potentially resulting in removal proceedings.
The court heard that Govindbalunikam approached a nine-year-old boy near the Thessalon River, offering him a fidget spinner and later persuading him to get into his vehicle with the promise of a ride home. He drove the child to a nearby tavern where he bought him ice cream before continuing to drive, even after passing the child’s home.
Concerned witnesses alerted the child’s parents, and the boy’s father later intercepted the vehicle and removed his son. Police tracked Govindbalunikam down the following day in Sault Ste. Marie, where he was arrested.
During the investigation, officers found photos on his phone showing the child inside the vehicle and at the river.
The defence argued the incident was a cultural misunderstanding, suggesting the accused believed offering help and transportation was acceptable. However, Justice Michael N. Varpio firmly rejected that claim, noting that Govindbalunikam had lived in Canada for over a decade and should have understood societal norms.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offence, stating that a custodial sentence was necessary to denounce the conduct and deter similar actions, particularly when it involves vulnerable children.
While the sentence marks the conclusion of the criminal case, it may now open the door to immigration consequences, leaving Govindbalunikam at risk of being deported once his jail term is complete.