Ludhiana Police Launch Manhunt with Cash Reward for Escaped Rapist Accused of Child Murder
Police in Ludhiana have initiated an intensive localised manhunt and declared a cash reward for a convicted rapist who is alleged to have murdered a nine-year-old boy shortly after escaping from custody. The Salem Tabri police department has officially offered a ₹20,000 reward for any information that directly leads to the arrest of the fugitive, identified as Ajay Kumar.
Details of the Accused and His Criminal Background
Ajay Kumar, a resident of Kasabad village, was previously convicted for the heinous crime of raping a minor. At the time of his escape, he was actively serving his sentence at the Ludhiana Borstal Jail. His flight from justice has now been followed by an even more tragic and violent act, according to prosecutors.
Timeline of Custodial Failure and Subsequent Tragedy
The sequence of events that led to this horrific incident has drawn severe criticism and outrage from the local community, particularly the victim's family. The timeline is as follows:
- February 2: Ajay Kumar managed to escape from police custody while he was being transported to Ludhiana's civil hospital for a routine medical examination.
- February 5: A nine-year-old boy from Ajay's own village was reported missing by his family. Prosecutors have alleged that Ajay killed the child and disposed of his body in nearby bushes on this very same day.
- February 7: The body of the young boy was discovered with his throat slit. This grim discovery occurred following an "intensified protest" staged by the grieving family outside the local police station.
Allegations of Police Negligence and Jurisdictional Issues
The victim's family has publicly accused police authorities of gross negligence and engaging in jurisdictional "buck-passing." They claim that when they first attempted to report their child's disappearance on February 5, officers at the Jodhewal police station redirected them to the Salem Tabri station instead of taking immediate action. Formal proceedings and an official investigation were not initiated until the following day, February 6.
In response to these allegations, Inspector Harshveer Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) at Salem Tabri, stated, "We have been trying to track the accused, but so far, we have no concrete clues regarding his whereabouts." This admission highlights the ongoing challenges in the manhunt.
Additional Legal Actions and Charges Filed
While the primary suspect, Ajay Kumar, remains at large and is the focus of the police reward, authorities have not been entirely inactive. Police have charged four associates of Ajay with the crime of harbouring a fugitive. The individuals charged are:
- Kamal Singh
- Arjun Singh
- Banke Lal
- Sat Narayan
This case underscores significant failures in the custodial system and has ignited a firestorm of community anger, demanding accountability and swift justice for the innocent victim.
