Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A 19-year-old engineering student was kidnapped on Saturday evening near Beed Bypass, allegedly over his friendship with a female classmate from a different faith.
A gang of radical youths, angered by their association, orchestrated the abduction. However, a swift police response forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim in Vedantnagar and flee. Ravi (name changed), a first-year engineering student from Satara, had been casually interacting with his female classmate on campus. Their friendship, however, drew the ire of a radical group, which had warned him a month ago to end all communication with her. Undeterred, Ravi continued his conversations, prompting repeated threats via calls, messages, and social media in recent days.
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Ignoring threats proves costly
On Saturday, as Ravi left college near Patel Lawns, a luxury car pulled up beside him. The kidnappers forcibly covered his mouth and shoved him inside. A friend witnessing the abduction immediately alerted others, triggering a desperate search.
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High-speed chase forces kidnappers to flee
As soon as police received the alert, PI Sangram Tathe, PSI Dilip Bachate, and their team swung into action. With sirens blaring, they raced through the streets, creating panic among the culprits. Informants within the gang tipped off the kidnappers about the police chase, forcing them to abandon Ravi near Patwardhan Hospital on Railway Station Road before escaping. Dazed and injured, Ravi sought help from a passerby and reached the police at Mahanubhav Ashram Chowk. He was later admitted to Ghati Hospital for medical examination.
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Brutal assault and chilling warning
Investigations revealed that a moped rider had been tailing Ravi since the afternoon, relaying his movements to the kidnappers. Inside the car, they thrashed him mercilessly. Before releasing him, they issued a chilling warning if he reported the crime, they would kill him. By late night, police were in the process of registering an FIR. Authorities are now tracking down the kidnappers, while Ravi recovers from the harrowing ordeal.