Cops defend cash reward decision

Two days after they drew flak for the seemingly hurried declaration of a cash reward for anyone providing information leading to the kidnapped 18-month-old Ishaan Singh, the police said it had no other alternative.

Two days after they drew flak for the seemingly hurried declaration of a cash reward for anyone providing information leading to the kidnapped 18-month-old Ishaan Singh, the police said it had no other alternative.

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Delhi Police was criticised by the media and parents of kidnapping victims belonging to relatively less affluent families alike for the announcement.

"Most children of Ishaan's age usually go missing from hospitals but his case was certainly more serious than the others," said a senior Delhi Police officer requesting anonymity.

The police said declaring a reward was necessary as the toddler’s life was in danger.

“In Ishaan’s case, we were clear about the culprit who seemed to be operating in a brazen though smart manner. That is something she couldn’t have done alone. As more people were involved, logically, the threat to his life was graver," the officer said.

According to the officer, the logic behind declaring the reward was to expedite information-gathering and lead to a speedy conclusion to the investigation.

“In many cases, the reward is bounty enough for the kidnapper gang which is usually being operated by novices. Sometimes they drop the idea of collecting the ransom and sometimes the cash reward is coercion enough to bring some of the gang members to our side,” the officer said.