A 15-year-old boy who was abducted on May 1 from outside his father’s dhaba in Greater Noida was discovered deceased on Sunday morning, as per police statements.
The body was spotted by local residents floating in a canal in Milka Mosamgarh, Bulandshahr, approximately 50km away from the location where the boy was abducted in Beta 2, Greater Noida, authorities confirmed. Police have conducted a post-mortem examination of the body and are awaiting the report.
The deceased has been identified as Kunal Sharma, hailing from Mayana village in Rabupura. He used to assist his father, Krishna Kumar Sharma, in managing their dhaba in Accher, Beta 2, Greater Noida.
The last sighting of the boy was at 2:20 pm on Wednesday when he was seen entering a white car outside the dhaba with a man and a woman. “CCTV footage shows a woman approaching the dhaba and instructing the boy to get into a white car parked outside. After a brief conversation, the boy complied,” stated an officer anonymously. Another man in white attire near the car also joined them, following which the car departed from the scene. The boy’s phone has been switched off since then.
The boy’s father lodged a complaint, leading to the registration of a case against unidentified suspects at Beta 2 police station under Section 363 (kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code.
An extensive investigation ensued, involving the scrutiny of 500 CCTV cameras to trace the boy’s whereabouts. Local residents in Bulandshahr discovered the body on Sunday morning and promptly informed the police.
“We performed the autopsy in Bulandshahr. The autopsy report will reveal the extent of the injuries. Our efforts are directed towards apprehending the suspects,” stated Ashok Kumar, additional commissioner of police, Greater Noida. The vehicle used in the abduction remains elusive.
Krishna expressed suspicion towards one of his relatives, with whom he initially partnered in the dhaba business but later parted ways, alleging involvement in his son’s demise.
“A murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been filed against unidentified individuals, and we have detained 10 to 12 members of Sharma’s family with whom he had a dispute regarding the dhaba,” stated Munendra Singh, station house officer, Beta 2.
Shivhari Meena, joint commissioner, assured, “We are determined to apprehend the culprits swiftly.”