Kidnappers panic, kill 10-year-old Powai boy

The Powai police has arrested two youths for allegedly kidnapping and murdering the 10-year-old son of their employer on Sunday. The suspects had abducted the boy to demand ransom from his family, but after they received a call from the boy's dad asking about his whereabouts, they panicked and killed him. They then dumped his body in Bhayander.

The arrested duo has been identified as Amar Singh, 21, and Lalan Singh, 20. They worked for the victim's father in his fabrication business. According to the police, they hatched the plan to get money to set up their own business. They intended to demand Rs 10 lakh as ransom, the police said.

According to the police, on November 12, the victim Ritesh Singh went missing, and his family began searching for him.

Residents of the area informed Ritesh's father that he was last seen in the locality with Amar and Lalan before he went missing. Ritesh's father then made inquiries with them, but they claimed they were not aware of where he went. Ritesh's parents then lodged a kidnapping case with the Powai police.

The police detained Amar and Lalan and after sustained questioning, they broke down and narrated the entire incident, police said.

"As per the duo, on November 12, they took Ritesh to Bhayander via train and had planned to keep him in captivity for a few days and demand ransom. However, after they received the call, they panicked and strangulated Ritesh the same day. They later claimed to have dumped Ritesh's body at Golden Nest area of Bhayander," said a Powai police officer.

The duo was then placed under arrest after which they led the police team to the place where they had allegedly dumped Ritesh's body.

"We have now added sections 302 (murder), 201 (destroying evidence) and 34(common intent) of the Indian Penal Code to the case. The recovered body has been sent for post-mortem and we are awaiting the reports. The suspects wanted to start their own business by extorting money from boy's father," said ND Reddy, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 10.