Kidnapping case: Accused kept tab on kids left unattended in cars by parents
New Delhi, July 5
Following a meticulously executed operation, the Delhi Police successfully apprehended Prateek Shrivastava, the prime suspect in the recent child kidnapping incident near Heera Sweets on Vikas Marg. Apoorva Gupta, DCP, East District, said the arrest was made after intensive efforts by multiple police teams and thorough investigative work.
Prateek Shrivastava, a 38-year-old resident of Shiv Mandir Road, Mandawali, Delhi, was taken into custody on Thursday. His arrest marked a breakthrough in the case that had sparked widespread concern and mobilised law enforcement across Delhi and neighbouring areas. He had kidnapped siblings, a 11-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy son, on June 28 while their parents briefly stopped at a sweet shop on Vikas Marg.
According to the DCP, during interrogation, Prateek confessed to devising a plan after he observed over a period of time that parents usually left their car unattended briefly with engines running, especially during the bustling evening hours. His familiarity with the area and past experience as a cab driver for cab aggregators, Ola and Uber, along with work at food delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato, provided him insights into the city’s topography and traffic patterns.
On the evening of June 28, Prateek executed his plan by swiftly entering the vehicle where the children were left momentarily, coercing the 11-yr-old girl with threats. His intention was to demand a substantial ransom from the children’s parents.
However, an extensive police pursuit spanning approximately 200 km and involving over 20 police vehicles thwarted Prateek’s escape plans. Cornered near Samaypur, Badli, Prateek abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the children unharmed but traumatised.
Police recovered crucial evidence including the clothes and shoes worn by Prateek during the crime, aiding further investigation into his motives and modus operandi. The recovery of these items bolstered the case against him, ensuring a swift judicial process.
