Bengaluru: A-24-year-old man grappling with business losses, kidnapped a 9-year-old boy, enticing him with the promise of cake, in an attempt to extort quick money.
The accused has been identified as named Mohammad Jashimuddin Sheikh, he demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakhs from the boy’s parents for his safe return.
The abduction took place on Monday, June 17, when the young boy was playing with friends near his home after attending tuition. Sheikh approached the child, claiming it was his birthday and offering him cake and other treats. The police informed that Sheikh led the boy on a 600-meter walk before booking a Rapido ride. He subsequently booked two more Rapido rides, waiting for nightfall to move the boy to his apartment under the cover of darkness.
Both the boy and Sheikh were eventually located in an Electronic City apartment. The accused was known to the boy, which may have facilitated the abduction.
Upon the boy’s father filing a police complaint, law enforcement swiftly assembled a team to apprehend the kidnapper. CK Baba, DCP South-East, stated, “The accused attempted to outsmart the police by using two phones, thinking he could avoid detection. However, the team acted promptly on the complaint, and within 13 hours, they rescued the child from the suspect’s apartment and arrested Sheikh.”
Police revealed that Jashimuddin Sheikh was operating a cloud kitchen business specializing in customized food. Facing financial difficulties due to business losses, he resorted to the desperate act of kidnapping to procure money quickly.