Kidnapping case solved, accused held

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 25

The city police today claimed to have solved the kidnapping of Mani, son of Desraj and a resident of Gali No. 2, Vikas Nagar, Patiala, with the arrest of all accused. The child was kidnapped on April 13, 2016.

Addressing the media, Patiala SSP Gurmeet Singh Chauhan disclosed that on April 13, Mani (14) had gone to Tripuri Market, Patiala, for purchasing books and did not return home. His mobile phone was switched off.

After the police were intimated, the victim’s brother received a call at 9pm from a person, who demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh for releasing Mani, following which an FIR was registered at the Tripuri police station.

“Based on the cell tower location, police teams reached Mansa and Barnala on the same night in search of Mani. Next day, the police recovered Mani, who was let off by the kidnappers,” said the SSP.

The police arrested Gabbu Kumar, alias Gabbar, a resident of Khanama Shankar village in Purnia residing at Bajakhana Morh, Barnala.

“After his arrest, it came to light that Ashok Karup, a resident of Anesari village, Thresur district, Kerala, now residing at Tarn Taran, Naveen Kumar, alias Karan Lal, a resident of Khanua district, Purnia, now residing at Barnala, and Satwinder Singh, alias Sonu, son of Jaspal Singh House Number 18, Guru Nanak Nagar, Patiala, are also involved in this kidnapping,” he said.

Later, police teams searched for them at Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Ambala, Agra and Bharatpur (Rajasthan). Under the supervision of Inspector Shaminder Singh, the police party arrested Ashok and Naveen from Ahmedabad (Gujarat). After obtaining transit remand of Ashok and Naveen, the Patiala police brought them to the city and their third accomplice Satwinder Singh was also arrested from Patiala.

During investigation, it came to light that Ashok, who is a resident of Kerala, was teaching at Campford English College, Tarn Taran. Ashok is well-educated and has passed BTech from MIT-Nagpur. His accomplice Naveen was working as a cook in this institute.

“In order to earn quick money, the accused planned to kidnap a child. They did a recce at Environment Park, Patiala, for about a week where Mani used to play with other children. Karan lured Mani and then kidnapped him from the park,” he said.

How they were arrested

• The police arrested Gabbu Kumar, alias Gabbar, a resident of Khanama Shankar village in Purnia residing at Bajakhana Morh, Barnala.
• Later, police teams searched for other accused at Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Ambala, Agra and Bharatpur (Rajasthan).
• Under the supervision of Inspector Shaminder Singh, the police party arrested Ashok and Naveen from Ahmedabad.
• Their third accomplice, Satwinder Singh, was also arrested from Patiala.

THE CASE

On April 13, Mani (14) had gone to the Tripuri Market, Patiala, for purchasing books and did not return home. His mobile phone was switched off.

‘Kidnapped from park’

In order to earn quick money, the accused planned to kidnap a child. They did a recce at Environment Park, Patiala, for about a week where Mani used to play with other children. Karan lured Mani and then kidnapped him from the park. — Gurmeet Singh Chauhan, Patiala SSP