Four held for spreading child kidnapping rumours in Ghaziabad

Police said the actions came after several such rumours of child kidnapping were circulated in several parts of western Uttar Pradesh, including Saharanpur, Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Noida.

A few days ago, a mentally challenged person heading to a hospital was attacked by a mob at Ghaziabad’s Dasna railway station, after an unknown person spread the rumour that he was an alleged child kidnapper. He was later rescued by Railway officials, police said.

“These arrests send a strong message to all people who indulge in such rumour-mongering. A worrying pattern has emerged in which innocent people get beaten up on the accusation of child kidnapping. Since it is a matter of children, people get aggressive. We constantly urge people not to pay heed to such messages and take law into their own hands,” said an officer from Masuri police station. No evidence of any child kidnapping gang has been found in the area, police added.

On Sunday, similar information was given to Gautam Budh Nagar Police that a six-year-old had been kidnapped by a man on a black Pulsar bike. Officials, on reaching the spot, found that the child was safe at his residence.

“Rumours of child kidnapping are being spread in various districts by some anti-social elements. People are also alleging there is an entire gang operating. This is leading people to attack innocents. The public is advised to inform police in case they see a message of child kidnapping,” said Gautam Budh Nagar Police in a statement.