Image credit : Illustrative Image

A youth, who played a prank by seeking ransom for the release of a missing teenager, has landed in police custody.

According to police, 19-year-old Jaffer Sadiq was reported missing from his house in Attupalam since August 1. His father Bilal, apart from lodging a police complaint, also circulated pamphlets with the boy’s photograph and also put up posters at various places.

A few days ago, Bilal received a call from a person, who demanded Rs. 50,000 for Sadiq’s release.

Police tried to trace the caller, but in vain. The person contacted Bilal again and this time sought Rs.20,000, to which Bilal agreed and asked the person to meet at a particular spot on Tuesday.

Bilal, who identified the person, through the whatsapp calls, caught him with the help of his relatives and handed him over to police.

The person has been identified as Rajasekharan of Thiruvallur. During interrogation he confessed that he had not kidnapped the boy but just made prank calls in order to make quick money.
A case has been registered against Rajasekharan.