Jharkhand: Girl on way to school kidnapped in Ranchi, rescued

NEW DELHI: An 11-year-old girl, who was kidnapped while on her way to school in an e-rickshaw on Wednesday morning in Jharkhand capital Ranchi, was later rescued in neighbouring Ramgarh district, police said. The persons, who were allegedly involved in the kidnapping, were arrested within 12 hours of the incident, they said. The kidnappers allegedly left her at a place in Kuju police station area, around 60 km from here, they added.

The girl was kidnapped from the city's Siramtoli area in Chutia police station area. "After receiving information around 8.45 am, a massive check was ordered in 90 locations spread over 10 districts of the state," Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chandan Kumar Sinha said. Seeing the massive police deployment, the kidnappers dumped the girl and fled, he said.

According to locals, a few youths in a car intercepted the e-rickshaw in which she was travelling, near Siramtoli flyover in Ranchi and forced her into their vehicle and fled, they said.

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Five arrested, including minor; pistols, cash seized

Five persons, including a minor, allegedly involved in the kidnapping were arrested, according to a statement issued by Ranchi Police. The car used in the crime, two country-made pistols, two cartridges, two smartphones and Rs 5,200 in cash were seized from their possession, it stated. "Of the five arrested people, four were involved in the kidnapping, while one person had changed the number plate of the vehicle," the release said.

"During interrogation, the criminals admitted that they had carried out the kidnapping for ransom. They wanted to flee to Bihar with the girl," it further said. Police said the main conspirator, identified as Rudranshu Vishwakarma, a gym trainer, had planned the kidnapping for ransom to clear a debt. The man, who opened fire during the kidnapping, was identified as Rishabh Burman, the release added.