Lucknow— What started as a frantic hunt for a “missing” young man in Lucknow has taken a shocking turn, as police uncovered that the abduction was entirely staged by the supposed victim, his family, and a local politician to defame the police.
Officials said 22-year-old Subhash from Gosaiganj, along with his father Ramkumar (52), younger brother Shubham (19), and a local community leader Akhilesh (45), orchestrated the kidnapping drama on September 27. The elaborate hoax, meant to portray police negligence, kept law enforcement on high alert for nearly a week.
The plot began after Subhash, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, called the police helpline 112 late at night, verbally abusing the staff — something he had done the previous evening as well. Police brought him to the local station, but he left around 2 a.m. Soon after, his father called the police claiming his son had gone missing, sparking confusion and alarm.
By morning, multiple calls from family members and local politicians alleging police inaction circulated widely, creating public pressure on the department. However, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Gosaiganj) Rishabh Runwal said the entire incident was fabricated to malign the force.
“CCTV footage showed Subhash walking casually through Khurdahi Bazaar at 2 a.m., disproving claims of abduction. The family had prior grievances with the police and conspired to frame them,” Runwal said.
Investigators reviewed over 200 CCTV clips and tracked Subhash’s mobile locations, confirming he was never kidnapped. He had deliberately switched phones and locations to evade tracking while staying in touch with family members to sustain the hoax.
As inconsistencies emerged, police arrested Subhash, his father Ramkumar, brother Shubham, and Akhilesh. They were booked under Sections 308-6 (extortion by false accusation) and 248A (false charge of offence with intent to injure) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also revealed that the family had a history of similar false complaints and previous criminal cases under Sections 208, 323, 504, and 506 of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code.
ACP Runwal criticized the misuse of law enforcement time and resources, saying, “Every minute spent chasing a lie is a minute lost helping someone who truly needs us. Five police teams worked tirelessly on this case during the festive season when they could have focused on genuine issues.”
The case has highlighted how deliberate misinformation can not only waste valuable manpower but also erode public trust in law enforcement institutions.
