A sessions court handed down a life sentence to Rajendra Ramfakire for the kidnapping of his former employer’s 12-year-old son in 2016. The abduction, which occurred in South Mumbai, involved the demand of a hefty ransom of Rs 5 lakh. Ramfakire was found guilty of several charges, including kidnapping for ransom, under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The victim, a sixth-grade student at the time, provided crucial testimony during the trial.
According to the victim’s account in court, the incident unfolded on February 17, 2016. After returning home from school around 10 am, he was entrusted with running errands by his aunt, which included purchasing milk and picking up his cousin from tuition. While waiting at the corner of Grant Road, the victim encountered the accused, who lured him with the promise of buying chocolates. Subsequently, he accompanied the perpetrator, and upon failing to return home, his family launched a frantic search and alerted the authorities.
During the ordeal, the victim’s father received a call from an unidentified number, demanding a ransom of Rs 5 lakh. The caller instructed the father to deliver the money in Kamathipura and abruptly ended the call, promising to reconnect in ten minutes. Suspicion arose when the victim’s uncle recognized Ramfakire’s voice during a subsequent call. Sensing an opportunity, the victim, while the accused was momentarily distracted, borrowed a passerby’s phone and swiftly contacted his family, divulging his location.
Acting swiftly, the family, accompanied by law enforcement, converged on the scene and successfully rescued the abducted boy from harm’s way.
The court’s verdict sends a strong message against such heinous crimes and underscores the importance of swift justice in ensuring the safety and security of individuals, especially vulnerable children.