30 May,2011 06:15 AM IST | | Sheetal Sukhija
CCB officials launch search after man files kidnap case against ex-boss; claims his wife, daughter are having an affair with the cloth merchant
u00a0
City Crime Branch officials were taken on a wild goose chase yesterday while investigating a case of kidnapping, involving 41-year-old accountant Pravesh Kumar's wife and daughter.
Kumar informed this reporter that his ex-boss Mangilal Jain Chhajar (71), owner of Mahapragya Silks at Chickpet, had kidnapped his wife and daughter. He further alleged that his 35-year-old wife, Meera Kumari and 17-year-old daughter, Preeti Kumari were having an affair with Mangilal.
The investigating team at the Sanjay Nagar police station enquires about the the basis on which theu00a0 FIR was filed. Also seen in picture (extreme left) Pravesh Kumar
Kumar produced a copy of the harassment complaint he had lodged against his wife and daughter before they were kidnapped. He also alleged that his ex-boss ran a prostitution racket in the city by kidnapping city-based women and forcing them into the trade.
MiD DAY approached the anti-human trafficking cell of the CCB, which was inaugurated three days ago.
Eight CCB officials directed by R Lakshman, ACP (Women and Narcotic wing), contacted their sources and immediately fanned out to the locations identified by Kumar as alleged prostitution hotspots run by Mangilal.
During the raid, police discovered that the locked rooms contained packed clothes.
u00a0
After questioning a few employees of Mangilal, the team headed to the merchant's house at Gandhinagar. Mangilal denied all allegations and claimed to have been Kumar's well-wisher.
"We gave him food and shelter and he has backstabbed us with these false allegations. He filed an FIR against me and we have presented our truth before officials of the Sanjay Nagar police station.
u00a0
I have never seen his wife or his daughter before. He was sacked because of poor conduct and bad behaviour," claimed Mangilal.
Truth nailed
The investigating team then headed to the Sanjay Nagar police station to enquire on what basis the kidnap FIR was filed.
"Based on a petition filed by Kumar at the then Police Commissioner, Shankar Bidari's office on March 14, 2011, the Sanjay Nagar police filed a complaint of kidnap and assault under various sections of the IPC against Kumar's wife and daughter," said an official.
The police tried to locate Kumar's wife and daughter, but realised that they had taken their belongings from their Ashwath Nagar house and were absconding. They were later located through Meera's workplace in Ganga Nagar.
During the enquiry, they said that Kumar had been mentally and physically harassing them.
u00a0
Meera said that he did not allow his daughter to appear for her class 12 examinations at the Jalahalli Air Force School and she had to be accompanied by an NGO worker and a constable to write her exam.
We recorded their statements and provided them protection, claimed the official.
Who is lying?
Kumar continued with his story saying, "My wife and daughter have had affairs with many men. They have stolen my belongings and disappeared and I have to suffer because my wife wants to share my boss's bed."
The CCB claim that they witness at least six such cases on a daily basis.
"This is the first time someone has taken, not only the CCB, but also the police commissioner, the home secretary and the chief minister for a ride. Even the CM's office has written a letter to the police station to take action. But after a day of investigation we nailed his lies," Lakshman said.
The team headed by Anand Kabburi claimed that they are planning to issue him a strict warning. If the problem persists, a complaint will be lodged under Section 186 (lodging false complaint and misleading police officials) against Kumar.
Timeline
12.30 pm: Eight CCB officials arrive at Gandhinagar, where Kumar claimed he last met his wife and daughter
12.45 pm: Officials break into locked rooms and find packed clothes
1 pm: CCB officials reach Mangilal's residence
1.30 pm: After interrogating Mangilal and his family, CCB reach conclusion that Mangilal is innocent
2.30 pm: CCB officials reach Sanjay Nagar police station, where the complaint was filed
