3 years on, missing Surat teen’s friends booked for abduction, conspiracy | Surat News

Surat: Nearly three years after a 17-year-old boy went missing, a startling revelation has led Puna police to book three of his friends, who were minors then, for abduction and criminal conspiracy. However, mystery still shrouds the disappearance of the teenager, as it was not clear what happened to him. The teenager, a Class 8 dropout, was last seen by his family on May 22, 2023. Initially, his family believed he had left home due to his temper, as he had done earlier, and would return. However, as days turned into months, hopes faded.A breakthrough came on Jan 25 this year, when one of his friends, now 19, contacted a friend of the boy’s elder brother, claiming he had information about the missing teen. When the family met him, he alleged that his two other friends — who were minors at the time of the incident — were involved in the disappearance. All three were aged 15, 16 and 20 in 2023.Following this, the family approached Puna police. Inspector V M Desai said the trio was questioned both individually and together. “We found that all four were last together on a ground. During questioning, suspicion arose that the boy may have been killed during a quarrel and buried near Rang Awdhoot Society,” he said.Police dug up nearly 5,000 sq ft of land at the indicated spot but found no remains. A nearby well was also searched based on the claims of the accused that body parts were disposed there, but no evidence was recovered.“As all three, including the one who gave the information, were present at the time, we have booked them for abduction and criminal conspiracy,” Desai said. He added that with no remains recovered, investigators will pursue other leads, including forensic and scientific (FSL) tests on the accused, and examine records of unidentified bodies from that period.BOX: Teen had left home earlier tooThe teenager had dropped out after Class 8 in 2022 and had since been working at a fruit shop. During this period, he had also developed a habit of consuming gutka, often drawing reprimands from his family over his behaviour and studies. According to relatives, he would frequently leave home after arguments and stay away for days before returning. When he went missing in May 2023, the family initially believed he had left in a similar manner and would come back.Box: ‘Informer’ friend tried to settle scoreThe case surfaced after one of the teen’s 19-year-old friends allegedly decided to settle scores with two others. Police said he had a quarrel with them and, in a bid to expose their alleged role in the disappearance, disclosed details to the boy’s brother. However, during the investigation, the other two told police that the 19-year-old was also present on the day the teenager went missing. Based on this, police have booked all three for abduction and criminal conspiracy.