Another boy kidnapped in Hoshiarpur

Even as Punjab police continue to wrangle with the Prabir kidnapping case, another teenager was kidnapped from Hoshiarpur on Monday. Abhi Ve...

Even as Punjab police continue to wrangle with the Prabir kidnapping case, another teenager was kidnapped from Hoshiarpur on Monday. Abhi Verma, a student of DAV Senior Secondary School, was whisked away by some men in a car near his school around 8.40 am. His parents got a ransom call a few hours later.

The incident comes a week after the kidnapping of Prabir Singh, an 18-year-old son of a prominent businessman. Police are still working on the case despite assurances from the Prime Minister and the CM.

Son of a well-known jeweller Ravi Verma, Abhi was abducted in a grey car. Some shopkeepers in the area tried to give the criminals a chase but were unsuccessful.

Eyewitnesses said the boy had put up a fight before the men pushed him into the car and sped towards the Dhobi Ghat area.

Around 12 noon, Abhi’s parents received a ransom call of Rs 50 lakh. Interestingly, the spot from where the boy was kidnapped was only 40 yards away from the crossing where two constables were on duty. Security was beefed up in the area for Valentine’s Day.

Senior Superintendent of Police Lok Nath Angra told The Indian Express that they are investigating the case. He added that the boy’s father had not lodged any complaint about the ransom call.

Police has not ruled out the possibility of some inter-state gang in the kidnapping. A red alert has been sounded in Hoshiarpur. Special teams have been sent to adjoining areas for vital clues.