Ludhiana Pastor and Wife Face Serious Kidnapping Charges
In a shocking incident from Ludhiana, Punjab, police have taken into custody a local pastor and registered a case against his wife following grave allegations of kidnapping, illegal confinement, and coercion. The arrest of Chaman Kumar occurred on Thursday evening after a tense confrontation at his residence in the Kartar Nagar area, with his wife, Harpreet Kaur, also named as an accused in the unfolding case.
Alleged Kidnapping and Coercion Details
According to the police complaint, the victim, identified as Salima from Amloh Road, was allegedly lured from her home by the couple on January 7 under the false pretense of attending a prayer service at a church in Machhiwara Sahib. Once at the location, the situation reportedly turned violent and coercive.
Salima's statement to authorities describes a harrowing ordeal where she was beaten and forced to sign legal documents without being permitted to read their contents. After being held at an undisclosed location outside Khanna for several days, she was moved to the accused's home. When Salima's father attempted to rescue her, the accused allegedly pushed him away and issued threats against the family.
Volatile Rescue Operation and Community Intervention
Tensions escalated dramatically on January 29 when a large crowd of local residents gathered outside the pastor's house, demanding the woman's immediate release. Witnesses reported a highly volatile scene where the accused climbed onto the roof and pelted bricks at the crowd, including at least one police officer.
The breakthrough in the case came through the intervention of local residents and members of a Nihang group. Jathedar Baba Sarabjit Singh of the Dashmesh Tarna Dal played a crucial role in de-escalating the situation. Upon learning about the illegal confinement from concerned locals, the Jathedar intervened personally, secured Salima's release, and reunited her with her father and brother.
Family's Struggle and Police Response
Salima's parents claimed they had been completely denied access to their daughter since her disappearance. Despite filing a formal complaint at the Khanna City 2 police station, the family reported that progress was frustratingly slow, prompting them to seek assistance from Nihang organizations during a protest outside the local court complex.
Sarabjit Singh, representing the Nihang group, revealed that his organization was already conducting a hunger strike on separate matters when the distressed parents approached him for help. The Nihang groups claimed to have arrived at the location and successfully rescued the girl despite facing significant resistance from those inside the house.
The actual rescue occurred on Thursday when Salima's mother managed to reach the house. The victim reportedly signaled her mother to stay at the location, which ultimately led to her recovery. "I was not allowed to meet anyone or step outside," the girl stated in her testimony.
Legal Action and Community Backlash
Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police, Darpan Ahluwalia, has confirmed that Chaman Kumar was taken into custody on Thursday. Police have registered a comprehensive case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 137(2) for kidnapping, Section 87 for abducting or inducing a woman to compel marriage or action, and Section 308 for extortion.
In response to the arrest, the local Pastor Association issued a formal letter disavowing the couple completely. During an emergency meeting led by association president Pastor Prem, the group declared they have "no relation" with the accused and strongly condemned the alleged acts. The association has appealed to all community members to "sever all ties with the accused immediately," demonstrating significant community backlash against the couple's actions.
