Mathura: A 16-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped after being lured through a gay dating app, with the accused demanding a ransom of ₹50,000. Police arrested two suspects following an encounter near the Lalpur Canal culvert in the Magorra police station area after pursuing their vehicle. Both accused sustained gunshot injuries to their legs and were admitted to a hospital. Police recovered two country-made pistols, two cartridges and the Thar SUV allegedly used in the crime.
Boy Disappears While Going to Deliver Lunch to His Father
The 16-year-old son of a hardware trader from the Raya police station area left home around 1 pm on Monday to deliver lunch to his father. When he failed to reach the shop and his mobile phone remained switched off for an extended period, his family became worried.
Around 4 pm, the father received a call through his son’s WhatsApp account. The caller claimed that the boy had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom of ₹50,000. In panic, the father arranged for approximately ₹47,000 to be deposited into his son’s bank account through a friend living in Raya.
He subsequently reached the Raya police station with other traders, informed the police about the incident and requested that his son be rescued safely.
Dating App Allegedly Used to Lure the Teenager
Police launched a search operation and located the boy near Karab village on Baldev Road around 6 pm. During questioning, the teenager reportedly told police that he had downloaded a gay dating app three days earlier and had started communicating with a girl through the platform.
According to the boy, the girl invited him to meet her on Monday. While carrying lunch for his father, he reached Baldev Road, where three men travelling in a Thar SUV allegedly forced him into the vehicle and kidnapped him.
The accused initially switched off his mobile phone. They later turned it on and allegedly forced him to call his father through WhatsApp to demand ransom money. After receiving the money, the suspects abandoned the teenager near Karab village and fled with his mobile phone.
CCTV Footage Helps Police Track the Suspects
Following the incident, the Raya police registered a case on the instructions of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and began searching for the suspects. Investigators examined CCTV footage and attempted to trace the Thar SUV.
According to Govardhan Circle Officer Anil Kumar, the Raya police pursued the suspected vehicle. After information was circulated through the police control room, personnel from several police stations across the district were deployed to conduct checks.
Police received information that the vehicle was speeding towards Govardhan via Ral, prompting the Jait police to join the pursuit.
Suspects Break Barricade Before Police Encounter
According to police, the suspects broke through a barricade at Saunk and continued towards Mathura via Saunk Road. The Magorra police also joined the chase. Teams from Jait and Raya police stations subsequently set up barricades and began checking vehicles near the Lalpur Canal culvert in the Magorra police station area. Seeing the police cordon, the suspects allegedly turned the vehicle towards the canal embankment. The Thar SUV lost balance and became stuck on an unpaved road due to its high speed. Police said an encounter followed, during which two suspects sustained gunshot injuries. Both were arrested and taken to hospital for treatment.
Two Accused Arrested; Search for Third Suspect Continues
The arrested suspects have been identified as Rajat, a resident of Nagla Tota village under the Mursan police station area in Hathras district, and Manish, a resident of Alleypur village under the Jamunapar police station area. Police recovered two country-made pistols, two cartridges and the Thar SUV allegedly used in the incident. Further investigation is underway to establish the role of the third suspect and trace the teenager’s missing mobile phone.
