Syam Goutham, 4, who was allegedly kidnapped by some unidentified persons on Tuesday, was released from his kidnappers safely on Wednesday with the help of police. The boy celebrated his fifth birthday along with parents and Superintendent of Police Raviprakash and police personnel in the SP’s office during a press conference.
Addressing the media, Mr. Raviprakash said that Goutham is the only child of Lakshmanarao, a carpenter and Durga and the only male child in the family. After gathering details about the boy and his background, a neighbour, an Intermediate student, allegedly hatched a plan to kidnap Goutham along with his friend, Durgaprasad. Later, two more friends, who are also minors, joined hands with the duo.
On Tuesday, the four accused met in the house of a minor and hatched the kidnap plan. Durgaprasad along with one of the minor boys went to Goutham’s school and asked the principal to send the child along with him stating that the boy’s father was not doing well. Durgaprasad called his friends from his phone and asked the principal to speak with the boy’s father. One of the minors imitated the boy’s father’s voice and said that he wanted the boy to be sent home along with Durgaprasad.
The SP said the CCTV footage in the school and also on the road and mobile signals helped to trace all the accused on Tuesday night. The police spoke to the kidnappers late in the night and agreed to pay the ransom amount of ₹5 lakh and reached the spot. When Durgaprasad and one of the minors came to receive the ransom, the police party swooped on them and also nabbed two more minors who were waiting in a vehicle along with the boy.
Mr. Raviprakash said the kidnappers reportedly kept a blade and a rope ready in case they failed to get the ransom.
