By Kunal Rao

Delhi HC has sought a report from Delhi Police on a plea by a man whose father was allegedly kidnapped by two persons with whom he was going to the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

Acting upon a Habeas Corpus writ, a bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Manoj Kumar Ohri sought to know from the police the whereabouts of Ram Karan Verma whose son Sunil Verma alleged that the authorities have not acted on his complaint and has not traced his father till date.

In his plea, the son (Sunil) contended that his 60-year-old father had decided to go the Kumbh Mela on March 3 with two persons Sagar Kumar and Rajesh Jaiswal. His father knew these persons through his involvement in property dealings with the duo.

However, when he started calling his father, his phone was switched off. When Sunil tried calling Rajesh even his phone could not be reached. The plea contended that Sunil also messaged Rajesh but he did not reply.

He also contended that during this time, Ram Karan Verma’s phone was switched. Only on  March 4, Rajesh answered the call and said he did not know the whereabouts of his father neither he went to Prayagraj. When enquired about not taking calls, Rajesh said that his phone had fallen in water and temporarily not working.

Sunil in his plea feared that his father was physically assaulted and manhandled. He also alleged that the authorities neither registered a FIR on his complaint at Nand Nagri Police Station nor they have arrested any suspects on his complaint.

He sought that his father be produced before the court in a safe condition.

The matter will be again heard on April 23.

—India Legal Bureau