Amid rising gold prices, a juvenile from Kerala’s Wayanad district landed in serious trouble after stealing his father’s gold jewellery to fund a leisure trip, only to be kidnapped and robbed by a criminal gang, police said.
Gold stolen from home to raise travel money
According to police, the juvenile, who is mentally challenged, took a gold ornament weighing around nine grams from his house without his father’s knowledge. He later sought the help of another teenage boy to convert the jewellery into cash.
At the boy’s direction, his friend approached a local youth who facilitated the sale of the ornament. Of the total amount received, ₹68,000 was handed over to the two boys, while ₹50,000 was retained by the intermediary.
Gang lures boys, abducts and assaults them
Police said the juveniles later contacted one of four accused to arrange a vehicle for their trip. An initial advance of ₹4,500 was demanded, followed by another ₹5,000 citing additional expenses. Realising the boys had access to money, the four-member gang allegedly abducted them.
The victims were reportedly taken to a hideout linked to drug peddlers, where they were assaulted, forced to consume liquor and ganja, and robbed of their cash. The accused also allegedly threatened to kill them if the remaining money was not handed over.
Case came to light after father’s complaint
The boys did not immediately disclose the incident to their families. The matter surfaced after the father discovered his son’s involvement in the theft and approached the police following the boy’s confession.
Based on the complaint, Wayanad Police arrested two accused — Chirakkal Veettil Dinkan alias Ajithkumar (22) and Sreevilasam Veettil Vishnum (22), both residents of Mananthavadi. Two others remain absconding.
The intermediary later returned ₹50,000 to the father after police intervention.
Police warn of rising risk
Mananthavadi Inspector P Rafeeq said the arrested accused have been remanded in judicial custody and are facing trial in similar cases. Police warned that soaring gold prices could trigger more such crimes, particularly involving juveniles, and stressed the need for family awareness and early intervention to prevent substance abuse and exploitation.