Long Lost Son: Man Held For Posing As 'Missing Child' Of Two Families

A man has been arrested for allegedly posing as the long-lost son of two families, one in Ghaziabad and another in Uttarakhand, 31 years after being abducted. The accused, named Indraraj, was apprehended following an investigation that uncovered his deceitful actions and criminal past, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Nimish Patil.

Photo Credit: Pexels

The case surfaced on November 24 when a man named Raju approached the Khoda Commissionerate Police Station in Ghaziabad. He claimed he was kidnapped 30 years ago and held captive in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Raju said he escaped his captors, travelled to Delhi by truck, and eventually reached Ghaziabad.

Identity Verification Efforts

To verify Raju's identity, police circulated his photograph through social media, newspapers, and other platforms. Shortly after, Tularam from Shaheednagar in Ghaziabad identified him as his missing son, Bhim Singh alias Pannu. The Khoda Police Station handed the man over to Tularam.

However, Tularam soon became suspicious of the man's behaviour, which did not align with that of his missing son. On November 27, Tularam contacted the Sahibabad Police Station with concerns that the man living with them might not be Bhim Singh. This prompted further questioning by the police.

Confession and Criminal History

During intense interrogation, the suspect initially stuck to his story but later admitted his real identity as Indraraj, son of Chunnilal Meghwal from Jaitsar, Rajasthan. He confessed to engaging in petty thefts from a young age, leading to his eviction from his family home in 2005.

Further investigations revealed Indraraj's involvement in numerous crimes. He had stolen from various homes using different aliases. In 2021, he stole documents and jewellery from a relative's house in Rawatsar, Rajasthan.

Fraudulent Activities Across India

Indraraj also engaged in fraudulent activities across India. He lived with different families in Dehradun, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana by posing as their missing son or relative. In Dehradun, he stayed with Asha Sharma for four months as her son Monu before moving to Delhi.

In Rajasthan, he assumed false identities such as Pankaj Kumar and Rampratap. In each instance, he either stole valuables or vanished without notice. The officer stated that Indraraj is now in police custody due to his extensive criminal history spanning several years.

The police are currently verifying additional incidents where Indraraj may have used false identities. His arrest highlights the importance of thorough investigations and vigilance in identifying individuals involved in such deceptive activities.