Another Bihar child abducted for ransom

In yet another incident reported from the state this year, a boy was abducted for ransom on Monday evening in Rampur Khajuria, Motihari district.

Gyan Prakash Gupta, 7, son of a pharmaceutical dealer, Raj Kishore Shah, was abducted when he stepped out of his house to buy stationary on Monday evening.

Gyan’s family members said they began a search for him when he did not return home. Around midnight, they said the abductors called Shah and demanded ₹10 lakh as ransom for the child’s release.

The abductors reportedly asked Shah to travel to Muzaffarpur with the ransom amount where they said the money and the child would be exchanged, the family added.

Over the past two months, Bihar has witnessed an abrupt rise in crimes against children. As many as seven incidents of abduction for ransom have been reported from the state since January 1.

At least four of these abducted children were found dead later.

This is the second kidnapping for ransom incident reported from Motihari.

Police said the family lodged an FIR on Tuesday morning against the unidentified abductors.

“We have identified the number and have also traced its location. Men in uniform are raiding several places to rescue the child and arrest the culprits,” station house officer, Dumariaghat, Amit Kumar Verma told Hindustan Times.

Since the abduction, the family has been living in fear for the safety of the child.

“Nobody has eaten anything. Everyone is morose. His mother is inconsolable,” said the shocked father. Motihari SP, Upendra Sharma did not answer calls.

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