5 children kidnapped daily in Mumbai last year

(Representative Image)

(Representative Image)

MUMBAI: The metropolis recorded as many as 1,940 cases of kidnapping of minors last year—a little over 5 cases every day— next only to Delhi, which reported 5,769 such cases. Mumbai accounted for nearly one-fourth of the child kidnapping cases in Maharashtra (8260), which is ranked second among states after Uttar Pradesh.

According to the NCRB report, a majoirty of the victims in Mumbai were between the ages of 12-15 years (894). Police officers attributed the high numbers to minors running away from home, eloping with lovers, followed by kidnapping for rape, adoption, revenge, murder and ransom. A police officer said most cases of missing children are recorded as kidnapping—especially when girls elope with young men.

The NCRB report shows the number of kidnapping for ransom is low. Besides, 20 children in Mumbai were kidnapped for forcing them into slavery, begging or trafficking in 2016.

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IPS officer turned lawyer YP Singh said children are easy targets. "Take the example of Kurla's Nehru Nagar rape and murder of minor girls that happened in 2011. They were lured by the accused with chocolates before they were kidnapped, raped and killed," he said.

Former IPS officer SPS Yadav said it is not easy for strangers to gain with kids. "In many instances, children are kidnapped for ransom by those close to the victim. The person develops rapport with the child, studies his/ her style and likes or dislikes. After studying the child's nature the accused easily executes the crime," said Yadav.

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