14-year-old boy abducted from Manish Nagar locality

By Dheeraj Fartode

Abduction of a 14-year-old teenager by unidentified persons from Manish Nagar locality has triggered panic in the city. The teenager was on way home after coming home from school, Montfort, when unidentified persons travelling in a four wheeler whisked him away on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred under jurisdiction of Sonegaon police station.

The teenager is identified as Chaitanya Subhash Ashtankar (14) -- a student of standard VIII. The abduction was witnessed by the teenager's friend and when former was just 100 metres from his home. The kidnappers bundled him in car and drove away from the spot. Cops are groping in  dark as parents of the victim told the investigators that they have no enemy nor do they have received any ransom call.

According to information, Chaitanya along with school mate deboarded from school bus at 2.45 pm. While walking towards home in Popular Society, a white coloured Eeco car came from opposite side and stopped near the boys. The boys looked in amazement and thought someone must be wandering in search of particular address. As the body stopped-by a person in his 30s came out from the car and caught hold on Chaitanya. 

Chaitanya was totally taken aback at this sudden attack and could not even raise an alarm as the road was totally deserted during the afternoon time. The man bundled Chaitanya in the car and closed the door after sitting inside the car. The car drove away from the spot within sEeconds leaving Chaitanya's friend bewildered. 

The school mate rushed home and narrated the incident to his parents. They all immediately rushed to Chaitanya’s home and informed Gayatri, elder sister of Chaitanya who immediately dialled her father Subhash and mother Sunanda, and broke the news. The  Ashtankar couple, frightened to core and clueless, rushed back home and promptly informed the police. 

Staff of Sonegaon Police rushed to the spot. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP Zone I) Shailesh Balkawde too arrived at the spot. After getting information about the white coloured Maruti Eeco car, the information was relayed to Control Room. All units of city police were put on high alert and message was also relayed to neighboring district to keep watch on every white coloured Maruti Eeco car. 

Joint Commissioner of Police Rajvardhan told The Hitavada that  special teams have been formed at police station level, Zonal levels and alongside teams of Crime Branch are following on leads and exploring their contacts. The police is investigating the case at all possible angles. Neighboring districts have also been told about the abduction and their co-operation is sought by city police, the Joint CP further stated. 

During preliminary investigation, the city police came to conclusion that the car sped away in direction of Wardha Road after negotiating the Manish Nagar railway crossing. Chaitanya was picked by school bus at 6.45 am from a stop near Bank of Bikaner, Beltarodi Road, near Reliance Fresh showroom. The kidnappers might have took the boy to rural area or isolated place away from the city, said a police officer. The cops are scanning CCTV cameras installed by the private firms on Wardha Road. 

Subhash Ashtankar works as a teacher at Salaidabha School and his wife Sunanda is also a teacher at Wadgaon Gujar Primary School. The Ashtankar couple have constructed a bungalow at plot no 39, Popular Society at Manish Nagar about two years ago. The Ashtankar family owns around 15 acre agriculture land near MIHAN. Chaitanya have two elder sisters and they are pursuing their graduation, sources informed.