7-year-old kidnapped from Ludhiana, rescued from Patiala, Canada-returned abductor killed in police encounter

The child, Bhavkirat Singh, was reunited with his family after Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema handed him over. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also spoke to the parents, assuring them of strict action against such criminals.

Addressing a press conference, DIG (Patiala range) Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Patiala SSP Nanak Singh said Bhavkirat Singh, a Class 1 student at a private school, was abducted around 6.30 pm Wednesday while playing outside his house. An unidentified man, with his face covered, took the child away. His parents tried to chase him, but he fled on a bike with his accomplices.

An FIR was registered by Khanna Police under sections 137(2) and 140(3) of the BNS at Malaud police station. Police said the accused had initially demanded ransom of Rs 1 crore from the family, which he later revised to Rs 60 lakh. Meanwhile, teams from Patiala and Malerkotla police were formed to crack the case.

The main conspirator was identified as Jaspreet Singh, while his accomplices were Harpreet Singh, 24 and Ravi Bhinder, 21 both from Amargarh.

The investigation revealed that the trio had also rented a Toyota Fortuner SUV and had been moving around with the child at multiple locations. The crime was pre-planned, and they had conducted reconnaissance beforehand, Sidhu said.

A meeting had been arranged for Thursday, where the family was to hand over the ransom. However, before the exchange could take place, police arrested Harpreet and Bhinder in Nawapind, Amargarh.

Meanwhile, the Fortuner’s location was traced to the Nabha Sadar police station area, where a police team led by CIA Inspector Shaminder Singh intercepted the vehicle. However, Jaspreet tried to run over the police party. “He was asked to surrender, but instead, he opened fire, injuring three policemen. In response, police fired in self-defence, injuring Jaspreet. He was taken to the hospital but was declared dead,” said DIG Sidhu.

Police recovered chilli powder from the SUV, indicating the accused had been using it to silence the child. A .32 bore weapon and live cartridges were also seized.

The injured policemen were identified as constable Rupinder Singh and home guards Baljinder Singh and Shivji Gir.

According to Khanna Police, the prima facie probe has revealed that Jaspreet Singh had gone to Canada on study visa.

“Prima facie, Jaspreet had returned from Canada a few days ago and immediately after, he planned this crime. The child’s father is an arthiya (commission agent) and probably that’s why the family was targeted for money,” said sub-inspector Satnam Singh, SHO, Malaud police station.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that he told the child’s father that “there was no place for such notorious elements in Punjab.”

Cabinet minister Cheema visited the child’s home to hand him over to his family. He warned that criminals indulging in such heinous crimes would face encounters, asserting that Punjab had no place for such elements.