Sikar/Jaipur, September 9: An Indian Army soldier on leave in Rajasthan’s Sikar district was abducted on Monday night while returning home from coaching and was later recovered unharmed from neighbouring Karauli district, police said.
The soldier has been identified as Shriram Sihag, 32, a resident of Kerpura village under the Khandela police station area. He joined the Army in 2013 and was posted in Punjab. He had been on leave for about three to four months to prepare for the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination and used to travel to Khandela for coaching.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 8 p.m. on Monday near the Kerpura bus stand. Sihag was returning on his motorcycle from Ranoli when five to six unidentified men in a car intercepted him, forced him off the motorcycle and took him away in the vehicle. His motorcycle and helmet were found abandoned at the spot. Local residents informed the family, which approached the police at about 10 p.m. His brother, Sher Singh, lodged a report at the Khandela police station.
At about 11:46 p.m., Sihag’s wife received a call from his mobile phone. The caller said the soldier was safe and demanded Rs 10 lakh. “Shriram is safe with us. We will send the bank details. Transfer Rs 10 lakh to that account,” the caller allegedly told her before disconnecting.
Khandela Station House Officer Surendra Devgada said police inspected the scene, set up checkpoints across the district and questioned the family about possible motives. The soldier’s wife told investigators about a financial dispute with a fellow soldier from Karauli district during an earlier posting. Acting on that lead, a police team was sent to Karauli.
On Tuesday evening, police traced Sihag in Sapotra in Karauli district and brought him back to Khandela. His family said they were relieved after he was found safe. Officials said the full circumstances of the case would be established after the soldier records his statement. No arrests had been confirmed in initial reports, and the investigation remained underway.
Police are examining the alleged monetary dispute and the identities of those who intercepted the soldier. Multiple teams searched the area through Monday night after the family reported the abduction, and the recovery followed the Karauli lead provided by relatives.
