Chandigarh, May 2 — A 20-year-old college student from Dera Bassi claims he was kidnapped at gunpoint by three unidentified men near the power grid in Hallomajra on the evening of April 29.
The Chandigarh police have launched an investigation into the incident, which allegedly involved a ransom demand and a partial payment leading to the victim’s release.
According to the police complaint filed by the student, Ramesh, who resides in Ram Darbar Phase II and studies at the Longowal Group of Colleges, he was abducted around 8 p.m. while waiting for an auto-rickshaw.
“A white car pulled up near me. Three men got out, forced me inside, and drove off,” Ramesh told the police.
Inside the vehicle, the abductors allegedly assaulted Ramesh and accused him of being involved in drug trafficking.
One of the men reportedly brandished a pistol and demanded Rs 5 lakh in exchange for his release.
Fearing for his life, Ramesh contacted his sister and asked her to arrange the ransom. She was able to collect Rs 1.3 lakh, which was handed over to the abductors in Kharar.
Ramesh was released shortly after the money was delivered.
Investigators have since traced the car’s registration to an individual in Gurdaspur.
“We are verifying the ownership and analyzing surveillance footage from both Hallomajra and Kharar areas,” a police official said.
Although Ramesh alleged physical assault, police noted there were no visible injury marks, and no medical examination was conducted.
An FIR has been registered at the Sector-31 police station under Sections 115(2), 140(2), 308(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as Sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act.
“We are taking this matter seriously and pursuing all leads,” the official added.
