GNDU asst prof kidnapped, ₹3-lakh ransom demanded

MONETARY DISPUTE? Letter found from victim’s room; cops suspect role of ‘friend’

SUKHPREET KAUR LEFT THE UNIVERSITY ON MONDAY FOR HER NATIVE PLACE IN MOGA’S BAGHAPURANA BUT DIDN’T REACH HOME

AMRITSAR: A 31-year-old assistant professor at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, was kidnapped on Monday and a call for ₹3-lakh ransom was made to her parents on Thursday evening, said the police.

Sukhpreet Kaur, an assistant professor of Hindi, left the university on Monday for her native place in Moga’s Baghapurana but didn’t reach home, said the police. Her father told the police that a man had called him from Sukhpreet mobile phone and demanded ₹3 lakh for her release, said the police, adding that a case under Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) has been registered.

The police on Saturday found a letter from Sukhpreet’s room at women hostel in the university in which she said she was going to meet Jazzinder Singh Virk, alias Garry, of Dashmesh Nagar in Kharar, Mohali, at Dark Chocolate Room or Subway, both eating joints, located in the market opposite the university.

She also mentioned Garry’s address, phone number and names of his parents, saying that he borrowed money from her and she was going to collect the amount. She even mentioned that Garry will be responsible if anything happens to her.

CLUESFROMCCTV FOOTAGE

Sukhpreet knew Garry, who is now suspect in the case, said the police. A CCTV footage shows her sitting with Garry inside Dark Chocolate Room. They left the place together, said the police. “The suspect didn’t use his phone and demanded ransom by calling from Sukhpreet’s phone. We have raided his house in Kharar, but he was not there. We are on our job and he will be nabbed soon,” said a senior police official.

POLICEDEFEND DELAY IN REGISTERING FIR

When asked about the delay in registering a first information report, a police official said: “Sukhpreet’s parents were not aware that she was coming home and the university authorities werealso unaware ofthe kidnapping. It was only when the ransom call was made that the family came to know that she was kidnapped.

They informed the university authorities and lodged a complaint with us,” added the police official.