As the search for three-year-old Anant Gupta, the son of the senior vice-president of Adobe, entered fourth day, Uttar Pradesh Police once again assured that all efforts were being made for his safe release. But they refused to divulge investigation details.
Police have alerted all exit points, including airports, in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. They suspect that the kidnappers might make an attempt to leave the state if they are still in Uttar Pradesh or Delhi. "We have been very alert and have taken all precautions," said RKS Rathore, SSP, Noida.
Anant's photographs have been circulated at concerned places.
Police sources said the communication channels between the family and the kidnappers were still open and the two sides were in touch.
The Guptas had requested mediapersons not to report the incident as it could harm their son. They had also made an appeal to their son's kidnappers not to harm him.
SSP Rathore said any media report on police investigation would harm the case. "The idea is to get the child back safely. We cannot share any details of the investigation as the kidnappers may panic and harm the child," he said.
Giving basic details, police said, the kidnappers chose to use a motorcycle for abducting Anant as the security guards at both the gates of sector 15 A, Noida, do not note down the registration number of two-wheelers entering or going out of the colony. "Only the numbers of cars and other four-wheelers were noted down and the kidnappers knew this," said a senior police officer.
{{/usCountry}}Giving basic details, police said, the kidnappers chose to use a motorcycle for abducting Anant as the security guards at both the gates of sector 15 A, Noida, do not note down the registration number of two-wheelers entering or going out of the colony. "Only the numbers of cars and other four-wheelers were noted down and the kidnappers knew this," said a senior police officer.
{{/usCountry}}Police said they were investigating all possible angles, including the involvement of someone very close to the family who could also be related to the Guptas. "We have questioned a number of people, including construction labourers working in the colony. Those people who were previously employed by the Guptas are also being questioned," said an officer.
Dev Dutt Sharma, police commissioner, Meerut zone, came to meet the boy's family on Thursday. "All out efforts are on to get back Anant. We are praying for his return. The entire administration is involved in the attempt to get him released," Sharma said.
Search in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh Police have started search and combing operations after reports that Anant was in the custody of Chambal bandit Jagjivan Parihar, who carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head.
DC Sagar, DIG Chambal Range, did not rule out the possibility of Anant changing hands through a chain of organised crime.
"We have intensified patrolling and combing after such reports," he said.
Email tushar@hindustantimes.com