New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) An eight-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped after a teenager gained his trust by offering him chocolates and later handed him over to his associates, who demanded a ransom of Rs 80 lakh, police said on Friday.
The boy was rescued within hours in a midnight-to-dawn operation, while two 18-year-old men were arrested and four juveniles apprehended in connection with the kidnapping, police said.
The incident came to light on Wednesday when the boy’s mother, Reshma, filed a complaint at Bhalswa Dairy police station regarding the kidnapping of her son and a demand for ransom through internet-based calls.
A case was registered and police teams carried out extensive field verification and searched areas in Mukundpur, Burari and adjoining
localities throughout the night.
The coordinated technical surveillance and ground-level investigation led police to the kidnapped boy and he was safely recovered at dawn. Two accused persons and four juveniles were apprehended during the operation.
Police identified the arrested accused as Rahul and Shubham. During interrogation, it emerged that the accused had allegedly conspired to kidnap the boy and demand ransom from his family, police said.
One of the juveniles allegedly gained the boy’s trust over several days by offering him toffees, chocolates and cold drinks. On September 2, he allegedly lured the child away and handed him over to his associates, according to police.
Another juvenile, who studied in the same class as the victim’s elder sister and was acquainted with the family, allegedly acted as an informer for the group.
After the kidnapping, he stayed with the family and appeared to console them while allegedly passing information about police movements and the progress of the investigation to his associates, police said.
The boy was medically examined and, after completion of necessary formalities, reunited with his mother. PTI SSJ SHS
