In a chilling case that highlights the dangers of social media, a 17-year-old boy from Pune was allegedly lured, kidnapped, and murdered by four individuals, including two minors, over a past dispute. The crime came to light after an intensive probe by the Pune police.
The Disappearance and Kidnapping Case
Anita Gachand, a 44-year-old resident of Tingre Nagar, approached the Vishrantwadi police station on December 31 to report her son missing. She stated that her son, Amansingh Gachand (17), had left home on his two-wheeler on December 29 and had not returned. Given that the missing person was a minor, the police immediately registered a kidnapping case at the Vishrantwadi police station against unidentified accused on the same day.
Investigation Zeroes in on Suspects
Teams from the Vishrantwadi police station and Crime Branch Unit 3 launched a parallel investigation. They soon identified four suspects who were known to have had a previous dispute with the victim. The police discovered that all four suspects were also missing from their homes in Pune.
"Based on technical leads, our investigation team found out that the suspects were in Belgaum in Karnataka. Teams were dispatched and four suspects were detained. In their questioning, the suspects confessed to having kidnapped and murdered the victim," said a police officer involved in the case.
Arrests, Confession, and Gruesome Details
The police have arrested two adults: Prathmesh Chindhu Adhal (19) and Nagesh Balaji Dhabale (19). The two other accused are minors and have been detained. The arrested suspects were produced before a court on Tuesday and remanded to police custody until January 9. The minors were presented before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to an observation home.
During interrogation, the suspects revealed a calculated plan. They confessed to using a girl's Instagram profile to lure the victim, capitalizing on the social media platform to gain his trust. After the kidnapping, they murdered him and, in an attempt to destroy evidence, buried his body at a location outside Pune. Police teams have been sent to the specified location to recover the remains.
"The suspects have told us that after they murdered the victim, they buried his body to destroy the evidence. We have sent teams to the location given by them. They have also told us they used a girl’s Instagram profile to lure the victim. We are verifying this," an officer confirmed.
Broader Implications and Police Probe
This tragic incident underscores the alarming trend of criminals using social media platforms to prey on young individuals. The Pune police's swift action in tracking the suspects to another state highlights the use of digital surveillance in solving such heinous crimes. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities verifying the technical details of the Instagram lure and gathering forensic evidence.
The case serves as a grim reminder for parents and teenagers about the potential perils of online interactions with strangers. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on delivering justice for the victim and his grieving family.
