The cook, who worked with a jeweller's family in Dahanu for 11 years, wanted Rs 5 crore so he could live a lavish life with his second wife, but his half-baked plan landed him behind bars
A jeweller’s family in Dahanu never imagined that the man who served as their cook for 11 years would turn on them and cook up a plot to kidnap their 11-year-old daughter, Diya Nahar.
ADVERTISEMENT
Turns out, the culprit — Shiva Bhagat (30) — is not much of a cook or crook, as his half-baked plan resulted in the police catching him within hours.
Also Read: Mumbai Police rescues 6-year old kidnapped boy
At 6.56 in the morning, the girl’s mother got a call from Shiva, asking for Rs 5 crore in exchange for her. The family was smart enough to engage the kidnappers in negotiations
Bhagat had joined the Nahar family’s employ as a cook in 2001 and worked there for over a decade. He was fired in 2012, after he was caught having an affair with the maid. He went on to marry the maid and took her to his village. But domestic bliss didn’t work out for Bhagat, who wanted a more fast-paced, glamorous life, said sources. He started by getting married to another woman, and dreamed of a lavish life with her. But ever since he lost his job with the Nahars, money had been hard to come by.
In the meanwhile, the family informed the police about the abduction, and the cops swung into action
That’s when he hatched the plot to abduct their daughter. After working with the family for 11 years, Shiva was familiar with every corner of the house. He snuck in from a bathroom window and opened the main door for his three accomplices, who took the girl and her phone. They also stole the family scooter and fled on it, with the sleeping child sandwiched between two of them. The other two took the train.
Read Story: Mumbai Crime: Man kidnaps friend's son to teach her a lesson
The fact that the ransom calls were made from the girl’s phone made it even easier for the police to track the mobile location when the kidnappers called again at 10.56 am
“From Dahanu, Shiva took the girl to a flat in Palghar which he had taken on rent. The family got a call in the morning, asking for Rs 5 crore to release their daughter. They smartly started negotiating with Shiva and, in the meantime, registered a case with the Dahanu police station at around 8 am,” said Ashok Honmane, inspector, local crime branch unit.
Within six hours, the cops arrested Shiva and his accomplices — Laxman Bhagat, Krushnakumar Ramashish and one minor — for kidnapping, robbery and extortion
Inspector General of Police (Konkan range) Prashant Burde asked the cops to start monitoring the ransom calls immediately. Their job was made even easier by the fact that the kidnappers were using the little girl’s own phone to make the calls. When Shiva called back at 10.56 am to confirm how the money would have to be delivered, the cops latched onto his mobile location. Within six hours of the complaint being filed, all four accused were arrested and confessed to the crime.
Appreciating efforts taken by his staff, IG Burde said, “The team work exhibited on ground by the policemen not only helped to solve the case within a few hours of the crime, but also helped to bring the girl back safely, which was our priority.”
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
