PHAGWARA: A 16-year-old girl has reportedly gone missing from her home in Kapurthala . Her family has lodged a formal complaint with the local police, expressing suspicion that a neighbourhood youth may have been involved in her disappearance.
Smt Usha, wife of Kulwant Singh, a resident of Kapurthala told the police that her daughter has been missing since the morning of September 27. The complainant stated that when she woke up that morning, her daughter was not at home. Despite extensive searches among relatives and acquaintances, the family has been unable to trace her whereabouts.
The complaint further alleges that a local resident, Akashdeep Singh, who lives in the same area, had been following and attempting to speak to her for some time. The mother claimed she had earlier confronted Akashdeep’s mother regarding his behaviour, and had been assured that such actions would not be repeated.
However, the family noted that Akashdeep Singh has also been missing from his residence since the same day that her daughter disappeared. “I strongly believe that my minor daughter has been lured away by Akashdeep Singh, possibly under the false pretext of marriage, with the help of some unidentified associates, ” the complainant alleged in her statement.
Police officials have registered the complaint under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 363 and 366A, which pertain to the kidnapping or inducement of a minor girl. The matter is currently under investigation, and efforts are being made to trace both individuals.