Large quantities of chapati and chicken foil kidnapping case in Palamu, says SP

A case of kidnapping for ransom in Palamu was recently solved by the police over a cooked meal. Notably, a jeweler Kundan and his staff member Akshay had been abducted for a ransom of Rs 10 lakhs, however, the police were able to safely retrieve them with the help of the families of the victims, and without paying even a morsel of the large amount asked for.

As per officials, the sighting of ‘roti’ and ‘chicken’ provided a vital lead and helped the Palamu police to crack open the case of the kidnapping of two youths for ransom.

SP Palamu Chandan Kumar Sinha said chapati and chicken are quite normal meals for many however, in certain situations, the same may lead to raised eyebrows.

Sinha said, “We were told of large amounts of chicken being bought by a family of dubious character. There was no festive occasion however; the large quantities of meals suggested something fishy, which drew our attention.”

“Our police personnel reached the house and saw around 36 chapatis and large quantities of chicken for a comparatively lesser number of people present. A woman in the house tried to hide the chicken and stated that he had cooked Aloo bhujia, but was proven to be lying,” the SP added.

He further said that their team had reasons to be suspicious which was later found legitimate. “We were initially curious as to why the woman would lie about the preparation of the meal,” he said.

Notably, the meal was found in the house of one Aenul Haq. Haq is one of the two accused arrested for kidnapping for ransom of the jeweller and his staff who were abducted on July 21. The victims were later freed from captivity within seven hours of the kidnapping. The chapatis and chicken were actually prepared to celebrate the kidnapping which was interrupted by the police.

SP said Haq had borrowed ornaments worth 33,000 rupees from their shop in Kundan. However, Haq was not in the condition to pay the amount. He would make excuses every time Kundan demanded his pending dues.

Haq along with one Tahir Hussain, under the instructions of a hardened criminal Shamim Pawarya of Chhatarpur had kidnapped Kundan and his staff by deceit. They had initially called Kundan over the pretext of paying the Rs 33,000 rupees.

“Haq had a conspiratorial plan. He enticed Kundan to come and collect his dues. It was a trap laid by Haq,” added the SP.

Police arrested Haq and Hussain who was remanded in judicial custody late on Saturday. The criminal Pawarya is still absconding, however, search operations are underway. The victims, while talking to the media said that they were beaten black and blue.

The SP further talked of his concerns when the victims were yet to be rescued. He said that they were tensed that Haq would shoot Kundan as both knew each other. Also, while demanding the ransom of Rs 10 lakh, Haq threatened to kill Kundan if he was not provided the money.

SP said that money did not exchange hands and that the victims were freed within seven hours of the kidnapping. He agreed that it was a race against time.