The Momo Craving
What began as a simple desire for momos, a widely adored street food typically costing between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per serving, took an astonishing and devastating
turn. A young student, in the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh, developed a fervent habit of frequenting a local momo stall. Initially, the transactions were conducted using cash, as is standard practice. However, as the student's allowance ran dry, the proprietors of the stall, a trio of youths, allegedly devised a more unconventional method of payment. They began to persuade the child to bring valuable items from his home in exchange for the popular snack, a request that would ultimately lead to a staggering loss for his family.
The Jewellery Exchange
The extent of the child's obsession with momos escalated dramatically as he was enticed to repeatedly take jewellery from his family's possessions and hand it over to the stall operators. This continued for an unspecified period, during which the family remained unaware of the growing deception. The alarming reality only surfaced when the boy's aunt visited their residence on a Sunday and inquired about her missing jewellery. The shock of discovering the entire collection gone prompted an immediate investigation within the household. The minor, when questioned, confessed to his actions, revealing that he had traded the precious ornaments, valued at an astounding Rs 85 lakh, to the youths running the momo stall located at Dumri Chauraha, along the Deoria-Kasya road. This unprecedented exchange highlights a disturbing instance of exploitation centered around a beloved street food.
Investigation and Recovery
Following the family's discovery and the minor's confession, the boy's father, who serves as a temple priest in Varanasi, promptly filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Rampur Karkhana police station. The complaint was lodged against the three individuals involved in the momo stall under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Law enforcement acted swiftly on the complaint. According to initial reports, two of the accused, identified as a young man and a woman, have been apprehended by the authorities. Furthermore, a portion of the missing jewellery has reportedly been recovered. However, the third accused individual is still at large and is being sought by the police. The incident has sent ripples of disbelief through the community, raising questions about the vulnerability of young individuals to such manipulative schemes.
