The Tribune, January 30, 2005

Body of abducted boy found
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, January 29
The body of an eight-year-old student, kidnapped about a month ago, has been found here. The police have arrested the accused. According to a report, the victim identified as Pankaj Garg, son of Mr Mukesh Garg, a resident of Tigaon town in Ballabhgarh subdivision, had gone missing. He was a student of class three and did not return home from school on December 22. While the father of the boy suspected the involvement of one Chanderpal who worked as a servant at his shop, the police allegedly kept assuring the family till the very end that ‘they would take the necessary action’. The boy was kidnapped by the accused, who had been sacked after a controversy over certain payment. The kidnapper had reportedly contacted the family a few days ago and demanded ransom in return for the boy.

Meanwhile, some residents of Korali village in the district informed the police about a body lying near a building, yesterday. It is reported that the kidnapper who was arrested from his native village in UP, admitted that he had contacted the family for ransom on January 21 and later killed the boy. While the police are examining the statements of the accused, the family members of the victim are in a state of shock. Mr K.L. Gera, a social activist based here, has demanded a high-level enquiry into the incident and asked for a strict action against all those responsible for the alleged police inaction. Describing it as a sensitive case, he said it was more serious than the incidents of child kidnappings in Bihar.