Duo who persuaded him to do so arrested; they had told him his loved ones were in danger and they could be saved by black magic
Asif Menon and (right) Maqsood Ansari before being produced in court. Pic/Hanif Patel
The Vasai police arrested a duo on Wednesday for compelling a 12-year-old to steal in his house, after convincing him his parents were in danger and they could save them with black magic. Fearing for the lives of his loved ones, the boy took jewellery worth Rs 15 lakh from his house and gave it to the accused. The accused identified as Maqsood Ansari, 45, and Asif Menon, 18, are residents of Vasai West.
What had happened
ADVERTISEMENT
According to the police, the theft occurred between January 5 and February 10. Menon recently befriended the 12-year-old boy. The police said he once asked him for money but the boy said he didn't have any. In January Menon allegedly introduced the boy to Ansari, claiming he could predict the future.
The boy kept lemons given by the accused in place of the jewellery. Representation pic
Ansari allegedly told the kid that his parents were in trouble and only he could save them. He then asked the kid to keep lemons given by him in his parents' bedroom. The police said the accused also told the kid that he would have to take all the jewellery from the house and give it to them. After that he would perform black magic on it and save his parents. The accused also told the kid he shouldn't tell this to anyone if he wanted to save his parents.
Lemony secret
In February the boy's mother opened the compartment of the cupboard where they kept the jewellery and found it missing and the lemons instead. The police were informed and during investigation they found that the boy had taken the jewellery. He also revealed why he had done so.
Based on the kid's statement, the Vasai police arrested both the accused. "We have arrested the accused under IPC Sections 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) and under the anti-superstition and black magic act, Section 3," an official from Vasai police station said.
Rs 15 lakh
Worth of the jewellery the boy gave the duo
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
