ASHOK KUMAR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Two sons of complainant-Rajni, namely, Manav and Shivam, studying in 3rd standard and Class K.G. respectively in S.D. Sr. Secondary School, Rupnagar, left their house at 08.10 a.m. on 25/9/2017 for going to school but did not return. Complainant alongwith her daughter Jia visited the school and was informed by the school authorities that her children had not come to school on that day. She searched for the children but could not trace them and ultimately reported the matter to the police vide FIR No. 161 dtd. 26/9/2017, registered at Police Station Rupnagar. The police started search for missing children and also got their posters published to seek information about them.

(2.) On 28/9/2017, PW-15 Gurmeet Singh, resident of Mohalla Ucha Khera, Rupnagar was going to Pashu (cattle) Mela and near Telephone Exchange, Rupnagar he saw posters of the missing children Manav and Shivam (Ex. PW-8/Q). On reaching, Sangha Hospital, he witnessed a police party and got recorded his statement that on 25/9/2017, when he was standing on the bridge near CIA Staff, from where cattle were being transported in vehicles, he had seen both the missing children with appellant-Ashok Kumar @ Pintu Kumar. He knew both the children as they were living in his locality. Appellant was taking them, who were in school dress and carrying school bags, towards village Katli.

(3.) After registration of FIR, PW-8 Inspector Atul Soni initiated a search operation to trace the appellant. When he was present at Bela Chowk, complainant disclosed that appellant was coming on motorcycle, where he (appellant) was stopped and formally arrested n this case.