JHANSI, UTTAR PRADESH: A man was rescued by police on Saturday after being kidnapped and held for ransom following a “blind date” in Jhansi district. The victim, identified as Lallu Chaubey (50), was abducted by a gang that preys on singles, demanding a ransom of ₹3 lakh. Three individuals, including one woman, were arrested in connection with the crime: Akhilesh Ahirwar (30), Satish Singh Bundela (27), and Kiran (35).
According to the police, the gang operates by having women contact men, inviting them to meet in Jhansi, and then kidnapping them once they arrive. The gang demands ransom money from the victims’ families.
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mushtaq told PTI that Chaubey had traveled to Jhansi on Friday after receiving a call to meet. Shortly after their meeting, he was abducted and a ransom demand of ₹3 lakh was made. Chaubey’s family managed to pay ₹1 lakh before notifying the police, who launched a full investigation.
Following a complaint filed by Chaubey’s son, multiple police teams were formed to track down the victim. A constable posing as Chaubey’s son went to deliver the ransom, which led to the successful rescue.
The arrested suspects are facing charges under the Gangster Act, and police are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend other members of the gang.
This case comes just months after a similar kidnapping in Kushinagar, where a woman and her child were abducted by a gang, which notably sent a ransom request via a QR code. However, unlike this case, the perpetrators in Kushinagar remain at large, and the victims were not safely returned.
