Jalna juvenile gets six-month community service for kidnapping 13-year-old, demanding Rs 5 cr ransom

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A juvenile found guilty of kidnapping a 13-year-old boy and demanding a ransom of Rs 5 crore has been directed by Juvenile Justice Board, Jalna, to perform community service at the children’s ward of the district general hospital for six months.In an order passed on Monday, the board directed the juvenile to render community service every Monday and Wednesday. The juvenile was held guilty under IPC sections related to kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, common intention and criminal conspiracy.The order followed a trial in which the prosecution examined 17 witnesses, including the complainant, the victim, panch witnesses, then additional superintendent of police Ayush Nopani and investigating officer B B Narode. Assistant public prosecutor Atik E Parkote represented the prosecution.According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on June 25, 2024, when the child left home for school at 8am in the morning but never reached class. The father had left for his shop after the boy left for school. Later that day, at 11.45am, the father received a call from unidentified persons claiming to have the boy in their custody and demanding Rs 5 crore for his release. The callers allegedly threatened to kill the child if the ransom was not paid.After being alerted, then additional superintendent of police Ayush Nopani formed two teams to trace the child and apprehend the accused. Police laid a trap and arrested two accused when they arrived to collect the ransom money. The boy was rescued safely from a van and reunited with his family.The prosecution alleged that the child was confined for several hours at an undisclosed location. During the ordeal, he was allegedly slapped and punched, his mouth restrained with a handkerchief, and he was threatened with death if the ransom demand was not met.Following the investigation, sub-inspector B B Narode filed the final report before Juvenile Justice Board. The board, headed by principal magistrate S N Pund and members A M Dhannawat and R B Jagtap, considered the evidence and arguments before delivering the order.Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news. Download the TOI App.