Jharkhand News : A reported kidnapping case in Jharkhand’s Koderma district turned out to be completely false, with police uncovering the truth within just six hours. The alleged victim was found safe, and investigations revealed that the kidnapping story was self-fabricated to evade pressure arising from a financial dispute related to a truck sale.
The case originated from Domchanch Police Station, where Kajal Devi, a resident of Maheshpur village, filed a complaint stating that her husband Prakash Mehta had been missing since the night of February 7. Despite efforts to trace him, no information was found initially.
On February 10, Prakash Mehta allegedly called his wife from his mobile phone and claimed that he had been kidnapped and was being held in Lakhibagi Atka, under Bagodar police station area of Giridih district. He further alleged that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of ₹15 lakh. Based on this claim, police registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Police crack case within hours
Following the registration of the case, Anudeep Singh directed the formation of a special investigation team under the supervision of Anil Kumar Singh. Acting swiftly, the police team traced and recovered Prakash Mehta safely within six hours from the house of his relative Jai Narayan Mehta, who is related to him as a brother-in-law.
Truck sale dispute behind false claim
During interrogation, Prakash Mehta admitted that the kidnapping story was false. He revealed that a truck registered in his wife’s name, owned by Jai Narayan Mehta, had been sold to one Ashok Kumar under an agreement, in which Prakash Mehta was a witness. Since the buyer failed to make payments on time, the matter is currently sub judice.
Facing pressure to help recover the pending amount, Prakash Mehta chose to mislead his family and police by claiming he had been abducted.
No kidnapping, police action likely
Preliminary investigation confirmed that no kidnapping had taken place and the entire incident was a hoax. Police have brought Prakash Mehta to Domchanch police station for further questioning and are considering appropriate legal action for filing false information and misleading authorities.
