One held for 11-year-old boy’s kidnap, murder

The body of an 11-year-old, son of a jewellery shop owner, who had been kidnapped, was found in Azadhe village.

The body of an 11-year-old, son of a jewellery shop owner, who had been kidnapped, was found in Azadhe village.

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Tushar Soni, a student of Adharsh English High School was kidnapped on Tuesday.

Rakesh Lakaara (24.) who had demanded Rs 5 lakh ransom, was arrested on Tuesday.

The police said Lakaara killed Tushar fearing trouble the boy knew him. Ramnath Shinde, senior inspector, Ramnagar police station, said: “Lakaara, who is from Rajasthan, works at a cycle repair shop close to the victim’s house. The boy knew him. He kidnapped the boy when he was on the way to school.”

“More than 10 teams were sent to trace the boy and kidnapper, but Lakaara kept changing spots. He made 16 calls.”

The police said Lakaara asked Kiran to catch a fast train from Kalyan and drop the money bag near either Thakurli, Diva or Kopar station.

The boy’s relatives had allegedly insisted that Lakaara show Tushar to them before giving him the money but Lakaara refused. “Around 10.30 pm, Lakaara made the last call and asked the father to drop the bag at Thakurli station,” Shinde added.

Suresh Soni, Tushar’s uncle, said, “We immediately informed the police but they took five hours to trace Lakaara. If they had been prompt, Tushar would have been alive.”

Lakaara allegedly confessed to the crime, saying he needed the money for his wedding.