Ludhiana, Punjab: Panic gripped a family in Ludhiana’s Giaspura locality after their 15-year-old daughter went missing under suspicious circumstances on Friday afternoon. Following frantic searches, the parents received two anonymous calls, confirming their worst fears—the girl had been kidnapped.
The missing minor, Riya Pal, originally from Kanpur, had recently moved to Ludhiana in April 2025 to live with her parents following the tragic suicide of her elder brother last year. The family resides in Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Giaspura.
According to the girl’s father Arun Kumar and mother Sunita Devi, Riya had stepped out of the house between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM and did not return. The family searched for her in the neighborhood but could not trace her. Later in the evening, they received a disturbing phone call from an unknown number. The voice on the other end said, “Your daughter is with us,” and disconnected the call immediately.
📞 Two Calls, One Panic-Stricken Voice
The parents confirmed receiving two separate phone calls from different mobile numbers. In the second call, they briefly heard their daughter’s frightened voice before the call was cut off. Since then, both phone numbers have been switched off, adding to the tension and suspicion that their daughter has been abducted.
The family wasted no time and filed a formal complaint at the Giaspura Police Outpost. Police Inspector Deepchand, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that both numbers are under electronic surveillance and location tracing. Authorities are scanning CCTV footage from the locality and checking call data records (CDRs) to gather clues.
👨👩👧👦 Family Background: Tragedy Before Trauma
The family’s ordeal is especially painful considering that they had only recently reunited. After their son committed suicide, the couple moved to Ludhiana in hopes of starting a new life. Riya, the only surviving child, had joined them from Kanpur in April. The incident has left the parents emotionally devastated, as they fear for their daughter’s safety in a city where they have no extended support system.
🕵️ Investigation in Full Swing
The Ludhiana police have initiated a multi-angle probe, including:
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Technical surveillance of the suspect mobile numbers
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CCTV footage collection from nearby markets, schools, and transit points
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Cross-verification with known offenders in the area
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Coordination with cybercrime units to trace the phone signals and devices
Inspector Deepchand stated, “We have put both numbers on technical tracking. The family is cooperating, and we hope to make a breakthrough soon. All necessary resources are being deployed.”
⚠️ Growing Concern Over Missing Minors
This case once again highlights the growing trend of minor girls going missing in urban Punjab, particularly in industrial areas like Ludhiana, where migration, unregulated colonies, and lack of community surveillance create vulnerabilities. Experts and NGOs have consistently raised alarms about the role of trafficking networks, online luring, and forced labour or exploitation in such disappearances.
🧾 Legal Standpoint
As per Indian law:
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Any individual under 18 years of age who goes missing is presumed to be a victim of kidnapping unless proven otherwise.
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The case falls under IPC Sections 363 (kidnapping) and 366A (procuration of minor girl).
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In such cases, police are required to treat it as cognizable and initiate immediate search operations.
Given the minor’s gender and the nature of the case, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) may also become involved, depending on how the case evolves.
🙏 Appeal to the Public
The family has requested the general public to come forward with any information about Riya’s whereabouts. Anyone who may have seen her around the Giaspura area or has access to residential CCTV footage between 3 to 5 PM on the incident day is urged to contact the Giaspura Police Post immediately.
📢 Conclusion
The abduction of a minor girl in broad daylight, followed by taunting calls to the family, paints a grim picture of urban safety, especially for young girls. As investigations continue, the family and local residents hope for a swift resolution and safe return of Riya Pal.
The case serves as a critical reminder for enhanced community vigilance, stricter telecom surveillance, and rapid-response protocols in missing children cases.
