A 26-year-old man from Morena district in Madhya Pradesh staged a fake kidnapping of himself after losing Rs 2.5 lakh in online gaming, fearing how he would explain the loss to his family. Police cracked the case in just two days, tracing him to a hotel in Delhi and bringing him back safely.
Father Filed A Kidnapping Complaint
On July 17, Devi Singh, a resident of Pamaya Road, lodged a complaint at Bamor police station saying his son, 26-year-old Sonu Kushwah, had been kidnapped. According to Devi Singh, his son was walking from home towards the market when some unidentified men forced him into a vehicle and drove off. Given the seriousness of the complaint, police registered a case of kidnapping immediately.
Two Teams Formed, Then Suspicion Set In
On the Superintendent of Police's instructions, two special teams were formed under the SDOP and the Bamor station in-charge. The teams gathered physical evidence from the spot and scanned CCTV footage from the area. During the investigation, something began to feel off. Sonu's own phone number kept sending messages to his family claiming he had been kidnapped. The fact that a supposedly kidnapped man was sending such messages himself raised suspicion, and police began to doubt the entire story.
150 Hotels Searched Near Nizamuddin
Technical evidence and tips from informers led police to believe Sonu was hiding somewhere near Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi. As soon as the lead came in, a police team rushed to Delhi and launched an intensive search around the Nizamuddin station and the auto stand nearby. Officers checked close to 150 hotels and lodges in the area one by one. Eventually, Sonu's name turned up in the guest register of a hotel called Chauhan Residency. When police reached the room, they found Sonu alone, using his phone. He was taken into custody and brought back to Morena.
Confession Reveals The Rs 2.5 Lakh Gaming Loss
During questioning, Sonu admitted that the entire kidnapping was a plan he had devised himself. He told police he was addicted to online gaming and had lost around Rs 2.5 lakh in it. Additional Superintendent of Police Surendra Pal Singh Dawar said Sonu was considered the responsible member of his family and handled the household's finances. Fearing what he would tell his family about losing such a large sum, and overcome by shame, he concocted the false kidnapping story to mislead everyone.
Team To Be Rewarded, Legal Action Against Youth
The Superintendent of Police has announced that the team which cracked the case within 48 hours will be rewarded. Meanwhile, police have begun legal action against Sonu for misleading the force and machinery with false information.
