Man abducted, assaulted after being lured via social media

New Delhi: A 20-year-old man from east Delhi's Shakarpur was allegedly lured by a woman he met on social media, then kidnapped and assaulted by her associates near a metro station. Delhi Police have arrested one person in connection with the case and are searching for others involved.

According to police, the victim met the woman near Laxmi Nagar Metro Station on July 3. She took him to Indirapuram Mall and later returned with him to the metro station, where five men intercepted them, forcibly abducted the victim, and assaulted him at multiple locations, including a forested area.

The victim's sister filed a complaint at Shakarpur Police Station, stating that her brother had gone to meet a girl he had been chatting with online. She later received a threatening call from a man using her brother's number, claiming to be the girl's brother and accusing the victim of being found in a hotel with her. He threatened not to release her brother.

DCP (east) Abhishek Dhania said, "The victim's phone was traced near Mayur Vihar metro station before being switched off. The police team rushed to the spot and spotted a group of men surrounding and assaulting the victim. On noticing the police presence, the attackers attempted to flee, abandoning the victim and their motorcycles. During the chase, one accused fell and was apprehended on the spot."

According to police, the man was identified as Sanjeev Kumar Lohia (31), a resident of Trilokpuri. Police recovered the victim's mobile phone and two motorcycles used in the crime from his possession. "The victim was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical examination," DCP Dhania said.

The victim told police he met the woman near Laxmi Nagar Metro Station at 10.30 am, who lured him to Indirapuram Mall. On their return, near the metro station, five boys intercepted him, forcibly took him to a secluded house, assaulted him, and made threatening calls to his family. The assault continued in a forested area. The victim alleged the woman was part of the conspiracy.

DCP Dhania said police interrogation revealed the motive was to extort money and intimidate the victim. The accused, including Sanjeev and his associates, Tarun, Akash and others, had planned the abduction for over two months. Efforts to nab other associates are underway.