Jhansi: Cloth Merchant's Son Kidnapped and Murdered in Chitrakoot; Accused Shot in Police Action
In a shocking and tragic incident reported from the Bargar area of Chitrakoot, a 13-year-old boy, the son of a local cloth merchant, was kidnapped and brutally murdered on Thursday night. The case took a dramatic turn when the accused were shot by police during an attempt to recover evidence, resulting in one fatality.
Details of the Kidnapping and Murder
The victim, identified as Ayush Kesarwani, a Class VII student, went missing on Thursday evening. His father, Ashok Kesarwani, who runs a cloth business, received a ransom call around 8:30 PM from an unknown number demanding Rs 40 lakh for his son's safe return. Panicked, Ashok immediately alerted the police, who launched a massive search operation involving forces from approximately 10 police stations, along with Special Operations Group (SOG) and SWAT teams.
Police Investigation and Tracking
The police investigation revealed that the accused, Irfan (28) and Kallu (22), used a stolen mobile phone to make the ransom call. This proved to be their undoing, as the handset belonged to a close relative and the SIM card was still active. Technical surveillance teams quickly traced the call, pinpointing the location with precision. Police teams fanned out quietly, tracking the signal in real-time and closing in on the suspects before they could escape or destroy evidence.
Acting on clues and CCTV footage, police conducted a night-long search and apprehended the accused early Friday morning. During interrogation, they confessed to luring Ayush with the promise of a motorbike lesson, taking him to their residence, strangling him, stuffing his body into a trunk, and burying it near their house.
Background and Motive of the Accused
The accused had a history with the victim's family. They were previously tenants of Ashok Kesarwani until he evicted them in August last year due to their shady behavior. After moving to a nearby house, they allegedly nursed a grudge against Ashok. Police stated that the incident stemmed from a public insult on September 10, 2025, when Ashok allegedly dragged Kallu and Irfan out of his house and abused them openly, humiliating them in front of onlookers. This rejection and humiliation reportedly pushed the duo to plot revenge.
Originally from Prayagraj, Irfan and Kallu had relocated to the area about a year ago and were running a shop that manufactured tin boxes and trunks. Kallu had a criminal record, with a murder case and two other cases registered against him in the Prayagraj Commissionerate in the past.
Police Encounter and Aftermath
During the recovery of the crime weapon and evidence, the situation escalated. Chitrakoot SP Arun Kumar Singh explained that the accused were taken to a nearby jungle to recover the mobile phone used for the ransom call. They constantly tried to mislead police about the body's location and, in a sudden move, snatched a gun from an officer and opened fire. In retaliatory firing by police, both accused were injured. They were rushed to a hospital, where Kallu was declared dead on arrival, while Irfan was referred to a higher medical center in Prayagraj for treatment.
Public Outrage and Response
The gruesome incident sparked widespread anger among local residents. Thousands of people staged a dharna, raising slogans and demanding harsh punishment for the accused. They blocked the national highway for several hours, disrupting traffic. Senior police and administrative officials, including DM Chitrakoot Pulkit Garg, reached the spot to address the agitators. They appealed to the crowd to vacate the area, assuring them that proper justice would be delivered in the case.
This tragic event has left the community in shock, highlighting issues of personal vendettas and law enforcement challenges in the region. Police have emphasized that the case serves as a grim reminder of how minor disputes can escalate into violent crimes, urging the public to resolve conflicts through legal channels.
