A tailor was arrested on Monday for allegedly kidnapping and killing a nine-year-old boy for a ransom of Rs 23 lakh, which he wanted to use to build a house, in Mahastrashta’s Thane district.
The incident took place on Sunday when the minor disappeared while returning home from a mosque in Goregaon village after prayers. The accused, identified as Salman, worked as a tailor in Goregaon village of the Badalpur area in Thane district, as reported by ANI.
According to Badlapur police station officials, Salman knew the victim and may have tricked him into accompanying him.
“After the nine-year-old identified as Ibad did not return home after a considerable amount of time, the child’s family started searching for him. Shortly after, the boy’s father received a call from the accused who demanded a ransom of Rs 23 lakh in return for the child,” police stated.
The boy’s father informed the police that news of Ibad’s disappearance had spread throughout the village by that time. Immediately, both police and rural residents began searching for Ibad. Shortly after, the accused contacted Ibad’s family, leading the police to trace his location.
“In fear of getting caught in the crime, the accused however killed the child and hid the body behind his residence,” police said.
After tracing the accused’s location, police searched the residence and discovered the child’s body. Following this discovery, Salman was arrested, and the body was recovered from the scene. An investigation is being conducted into the matter.