Grandfather Among 3 Arrested for Kidnapping Congress MLA’s Relative for Gold Ransom
Raisen, Madhya Pradesh | May 31, 2025 — In a shocking case that has rocked central Madhya Pradesh, police have arrested three individuals, including a paternal grandfather, for allegedly kidnapping a two-year-old boy, the grandnephew of Congress MLA Devendra Patel, and demanding a ransom of 1.5 kilograms of gold for his release.
The child, son of Yogendra Patel — the nephew of MLA Devendra Patel — was abducted from his home in Paloha village under Begamganj tehsil in Raisen district on Thursday morning. After a swift and coordinated operation, he was rescued late that night from Tamia town in Chhindwara district, approximately 200 kilometers away.
Shocking Role of Grandfather in Abduction Plot
Superintendent of Police Pankaj Pandey confirmed that the main accused in the case is Arvind Patel, the child’s paternal grandfather. He, along with Rakesh Patel, a relative, and a third accomplice, allegedly orchestrated the kidnapping in an attempt to extract a high-value ransom from the family.
“The plan was carefully executed, with Arvind Patel leading the conspiracy. After receiving clues, our teams tracked the boy to a friend’s residence in Tamia,” said SP Pandey during a press briefing.
The boy was unharmed and has been safely reunited with his family.
11 Police Teams, Drones, and Dogs Deployed
The abduction occurred around 11 AM on Thursday, sparking immediate concern due to the child’s high-profile political family background. Police treated the incident with utmost urgency, forming 11 dedicated teams to trace the abductors.
Advanced techniques were used during the operation, including:
- Sniffer dogs
- Drone surveillance
- Checkpoints across districts
These efforts led to the discovery of the abductors’ route and the eventual recovery of the child.
“We followed electronic surveillance and human intelligence leads. The abductors had moved quickly, but our teams managed to locate them within hours,” Pandey added.
Motive: Ransom of 1.5 Kg of Gold
The accused had allegedly demanded 1.5 kilograms of gold from the child’s family in exchange for his safe release. This staggering ransom demand hints at either a financial dispute or an extreme act of greed within the extended family.
Police also seized a van and a motorcycle used in the kidnapping. All three accused are currently under interrogation, with further charges expected under sections related to kidnapping for ransom and criminal conspiracy.
Political and Public Outrage
The incident has generated widespread outrage, particularly due to the involvement of a close family member. Congress MLA Devendra Patel, who represents the Silwani constituency, has not yet made a formal statement but is reportedly in close contact with the authorities.
The Congress party’s local units have condemned the act, calling it “a shocking betrayal from within the family.”