After 26 years of evading the law, Raj Kishore, a 55-year-old man, was finally arrested in connection with the Delhi kidnapping case. On December 28, 1993, kidnappers abducted an 8-year-old boy, the son of a garment factory owner in Kalyanpuri, East Delhi, in a tragic crime. The area, known for its busy garment industry, witnessed a crime that shocked the local community.
On that day, Kishore and an accomplice abducted the boy and demanded a ransom of ₹30,000, assuring the family of his safe return. Tragically, after receiving the money, the criminals strangled the child and disposed of his body in a nearby drain.
In 1996, Kishore was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment and was lodged in Tihar Jail. However, in 1999, he jumped parole granted by the Delhi High Court and disappeared. For years, authorities tracked him without success, eventually declaring him a proclaimed offender in 2014. This case sparked debates about India’s parole laws and monitoring systems.
Kishore spent years moving across India, first in Patna for four years, then in Jaipur for 13 years, and three years in Barnala, Punjab. He survived by working odd jobs while carefully avoiding capture. Occasionally, he returned to his native village in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, but never stayed long in one place.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kishore settled in Kanpur, starting a tailoring business under a false identity. His return made it possible for law enforcement to track him down after receiving tips about his location. Despite several near captures, he remained elusive thanks to local support.
After two months of strategic investigation, the Delhi Police Crime Branch successfully lured him to Ghaziabad. On August 2, 2023, over ten police personnel arrested Kishore in Khoda Colony. This marked the end of a decades-long search for justice.
The Delhi kidnapping case drew widespread attention in 1993, highlighting child safety concerns and crime in urban India. It led to discussions about stronger child protection laws and the urgent need for effective crime prevention measures. Today, Kishore faces the consequences of his actions, while his accomplice has already served a full sentence.
This arrest serves as a reminder that justice can prevail, no matter how long it takes, and underscores the ongoing importance of safeguarding children from similar tragedies in the future.
