New Delhi:
A man was arrested in the Capital for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 60 lakh from the family of his teenaged "girlfriend", police said on Saturday.
The accused has been identified as Prabhjod Singh, a resident of Moti Nagar, who wanted to go abroad. The girl was rescued from his custody.
Singh was apprehended following investigations into a complaint filed by a Moti Nagar resident that his 17-year-old daughter has not returned home since last evening.
The father of the victim received a text message on his mobile number demanding Rs 60 lakh for her release.
"Some more such SMSes were received by the complainant demanding money to ensure safety of daughter of the complainant," Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sharad Aggarwal said.
Investigations revealed that Singh who used to live in the neighbourhood of the complainant is missing and was seen in the area of Kirti Nagar.
"After zeroing in the suspect, all probable hideouts were raided. He was traced from near the Moti Nagar Metro Station. In the evening police questioned his family members and friends," Aggarwal said, adding Singh came to know that he was in the police bet.
"Specific information was received that the suspect along with the girl will be reaching Moti Nagar Metro Station. A trap was laid near Moti Nagar Metro Station and the suspect was apprehended and the girl was rescued safely," he said.
During interrogation, he said, Singh told them that he was pursuing BCA in Delhi and was not able to meet his requirements with his earnings.
"He intends to go abroad after finishing his study. He always dreams to become a millionaire and to settle in London. During this period he met the girl and won her confidence. He found that Simran belongs to business family and planned to extort money," Aggarwal said.
On Friday, he called her to meet him at Metro Station for some urgent work and then took her with him to different places.
"He was having the idea that her parents can give him handsome amount for safe release of their daughter. He was also confident that if he is caught during this attempt, the girl will support him as she likes him," Aggarwal said.