Lucknow Travel Agency Under Fire for Alleged Kidnapping and Extortion of Minors
In a shocking incident from Lucknow, a travel and car rental agency operating in the Chinhat area has been embroiled in serious criminal allegations. Families have accused the company and its associates of exploiting minors through deceptive social media advertisements, renting vehicles based on forged identity documents, and subsequently engaging in extortion through intimidation and physical assault.
Details of the Alleged Crime Spree
According to an FIR registered at the BBD Police Station late Saturday night, the modus operandi involved targeting minors with low-cost rental vehicle offers advertised on social media platforms. The agency allegedly provided these vehicles without drivers, using fake Aadhaar cards and other forged documents, blatantly violating the Motor Vehicles Act.
The situation escalated on March 6, when, after a booking was made, a group of men confronted the minors. They were kidnapped, assaulted, and forced to hand over money. The complaint specifies that two SUVs with Haryana registration numbers arrived in Jankipuram Extension, where two minors, aged 16 and 17, were abducted. Approximately 10–11 individuals are believed to have been involved in this harrowing episode.
Severe Assault and Threats Reported
Families detailed that the minors were subjected to brutal beatings, had their clothes removed, and were forced into obscene acts, with attempts at sexual assault. The accused allegedly stole a mobile phone, a wristwatch, and around Rs 5,000 in cash from the victims. Moreover, obscene videos were recorded during the assault, and the minors were threatened with these clips being made viral unless ransom money was paid.
The FIR names several individuals, including Rohit, Shivam, Sunny Singh, Prajjwal Singh, Himanshu, Amit, Saurabh Singh, and Rishabh, along with other unidentified persons. The complaint further alleges the use of illegal weapons and sharp-edged objects, death threats, expletives, attempts at unnatural acts, and efforts to cause grievous harm.
Broader Pattern of Criminal Activity
During their own inquiries, family members discovered that multiple cases had already been registered against individuals associated with the company. They also cited a previous incident where five minors were kidnapped and severely beaten, resulting in serious injuries, suggesting a pattern of predatory behavior targeting vulnerable youth.
Police Investigation and Legal Actions
Additional DCP of the East Zone, Amol Murkut, confirmed to TOI that a thorough probe is underway to determine how the SUV was booked online by minors. "We are working on the case from every angle," he stated. Police have registered the FIR against the named accused under charges including kidnapping, wrongful restraint, rioting, causing grievous injury, and violations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
However, police sources indicated that CCTV footage reviewed suggests the incident might be linked to a road accident involving the SUV allegedly booked by the minors, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation. Authorities are diligently examining all evidence to uncover the full extent of this alleged criminal network and ensure justice for the victims.
