Trust Betrayed: Neighbors Accused of Heinous Crime Against 12-Year-Old in UP's Chitrakoot
In a shocking incident that has sent tremors through Uttar Pradesh's Chitrakoot district, a 12-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped, strangled, and buried by his next-door neighbors, who were tenants known to his family for nearly eight years. The gruesome crime, described by the victim's grandfather as a profound betrayal of trust, unfolded over Thursday and Friday, culminating in police action that left one accused dead and another injured.
The Abduction and Ransom Demand
According to police reports, the victim, Ayush Kesarwani, a Class VIII student and youngest son of businessman Ashok Kesarwani, was playing outside his home in the Bargarh area of Chitrakoot on Thursday evening around 6 pm. It was then that the accused, identified as Kallu alias Sahibey and Irfan Ansari, both from Prayagraj and running a box-making shop locally, allegedly abducted him. The family's nightmare deepened when, at 8 am the next day, they received a ransom call demanding Rs 40 lakh for Ayush's release, with the callers instructing them to bring the money to Bargarh Ghati within an hour.
Fearing for the child's safety, the family immediately alerted the police, triggering a swift search operation. Using technical surveillance and human intelligence, authorities identified the suspects as tenants living adjacent to the Kesarwani family. Police teams tracked down and arrested Kallu and Irfan around 4 am on Friday.
The Tragic Outcome and Police Encounter
During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed to kidnapping and killing Ayush. Superintendent of Police, Chitrakoot, Arun Kumar, stated that the duo led police to the spot where they claimed to have hidden the phone used for the ransom call. After recovering the device, they took officers to several locations where they said they had buried the child. At one of these sites, a dramatic turn of events occurred: Kallu allegedly snatched a weapon from a police personnel and opened fire on the team.
In retaliation, police fired back, resulting in Kallu's death and Irfan sustaining bullet injuries. Irfan was rushed to a hospital, where doctors reported his condition as stable. A subsequent search of the accused's house, located next to the victim's residence, led to the recovery of Ayush's body from the bathroom, where it had been buried and plastered over. Police suspect the boy was killed shortly after the kidnapping. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, with the report awaited.
A Family's Heartbreak and Community Outrage
Speaking to The Indian Express, Ayush's grandfather, Ramesh Chandra Kesarwani (63), expressed deep anguish, calling the act a vishwasghat or betrayal of trust. He revealed that the accused had been treated like close relatives, with the family supporting them in business and personal matters, including providing money for marriages. "There was no dispute or enmity between us. My grandson went to their house on his own because he knew them so well," Kesarwani said, his voice choked with grief, attributing the crime to greed for money.
The killing sparked widespread anger in the community. Later on Friday, residents, traders, and businessmen staged a protest, blocking the busy Mirzapur-Jhansi highway while raising slogans and demanding justice for Ayush. Police teams from multiple stations, along with senior officers, rushed to manage the situation and restore traffic. SP Singh emphasized efforts to clear the highway through dialogue and persuasion, with the help of public representatives and local community members.
This tragic case highlights the vulnerabilities in trusted relationships and has left Chitrakoot grappling with grief and outrage as investigations continue.
