Uttar Pradesh: Doctor’s son kidnapped in Gonda, Rs 70 lakh ransom sought

LUCKNOW: A 21-year-old son of an Ayurvedic doctor was allegedly kidnapped in Kotwali police station of Gonda district.
The captors have demanded a ransom of Rs 70 lakh till January 22, else they have threatened to kill the youth, said police.
SP Gonda, Shailesh Pandey, who is leading the case, told TOI that the victim, Gaurav Haldar, is pursuing Bachelor of Ayurveda Medical & Surgery (BAMS) from a private college in Haripur locality of Gonda and lived on the campus hostel.
Gaurav’s father Nikhil Haldar is an ayurvedic practitioner in Bahraich. Haldar in his FIR stated that he last spoke to his son on Monday afternoon.
“On Tuesday morning, Haldar thought Gaurav would be attending classes on the college campus. However, on Tuesday evening, Haldar received a call from an unknown number who demanded Rs 70 lakh ransom for releasing his son,” the SP said.
Six teams have been formed to nab the kidnappers, while CCTVs of the stretch near the college were being scanned by the police teams.
Meanwhile, sources privy to the probe claimed that Gaurav’s last mobile phone location was traced to Lucknow road around 5pm on Monday. Thereafter, his phone went switched off.
A source added that after receiving a call around 3.30pm on Monday, Gaurav left the campus. The call came from a girl. “It could be a honey-trap,” the source added.