Abduction spate baffles Kanpur cops

Besides,the police are clueless about the three other children kidnapped in August.

According to police records,45 children have been kidnapped from the city since January 2009. The latest name on the list was that of 17-year-old Shivam Bajpai,who was kidnapped from Naubasta on Monday evening.

Shivam had left his Ananadpuram residence for coaching class and did not return. His father Pradip Kumar Bajpai is currently posted in the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate,Khaga,in Fatehpur district.

“Around 7 pm on Monday,Shivam called his sister Pradipika and said his bicycle had got punctured near Hanspuram,” Bajpai said. The call was made from his cellphone. The family tried to call him several times,but the handset was switched off. “Around 10 pm,we made yet another call on the number and the call was received by a stranger who claimed that my son has been kidnapped,” Bajpai said.

The police was informed on Tuesday. But neither the family nor police have confirmed any ransom demand from the kidnappers.

The Circle Officer,Govind Nagar,Prashant Kumar said the team has collected some clues and “we are optimistic of recovering Shivam at the earliest”. The three other cases of kidnapping are still baffling the police.

Noor Ullah,the son of tannery owner Shami Ullah was allegedly kidnapped on August 5 and a case of kidnapping was registered at Chakeri police station. But Shami Ullah now claims that his son has not been kidnapped. “Noor has gone out with few friends on a tour,and he recently made a telephone call to inform that he will be returning soon,” he said.

On August 10,four-year-old Nikhil,the son of Mahesh Pasi was kidnapped from Shiv Katra. The owner of a flour mill,Mahesh had alleged that a police constable,Hanuman Prasad,and four others were involved in the abduction.

ASP (Crime) O P Singh said four police teams have been deployed in each of the three cases. “Initial investigations indicate that Nikhil has not been kidnapped but has gone missing,” he added.

As for the kidnapping of Noor and Shivam,the officer maintained that efforts are being made to solve the cases at the earliest.

4 kidnapped in 40 days
* July 9: Karan Maheshwari kidnapped and later murdered
* August 5: Noor Ullah kidnapped from Jajmau
* August 10: Four-year-old Nikhil kidnapped from Shiv Katra
* August 17: 17-year-old Shivam Bajpai kidnapped from Naubasta