11-Year-Old Boy Foils Kidnapping Attempt in Lucknow With Presence of Mind

Lucknow:An 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt after displaying remarkable presence of mind and courage in Lucknow’s Krishna Nagar area on Sunday evening. The incident took place in Pandit Kheda Dwarkapuri Colony, where two masked bike-borne assailants allegedly tried to abduct the child.

The victim, Evan Sharma, a Class IV student of Kendriya Vidyalaya located in the RDSO Railway Colony, Mankapur, was returning home around 6:30 pm after buying a pencil from a nearby shop when the incident occurred.

According to Evan, the area was relatively deserted when two masked men on a black Splendor motorcycle stopped near him and offered to drop him home. When the child refused, one of the assailants got off the bike and forcibly grabbed him. As Evan tried to raise an alarm, the attacker allegedly pressed a drug-laced handkerchief over his mouth and nose.

Sensing danger, the child held his breath, suspecting the presence of an intoxicating substance. Despite being restrained, Evan managed to push the attacker’s hand away and bit him forcefully, causing the assailant to loosen his grip. Seizing the opportunity, the boy broke free and ran back home.

Family in Shock, Police Response Questioned

Evan reached home in a visibly shaken state and narrated the incident to his mother, Neetu Sharma, who immediately informed the police. However, the family has alleged that the police arrived at the spot nearly one and a half hours later.

“We have no enmity with anyone. After this incident, the entire family is terrified. We fear another attempt,” said Neetu Sharma.

The boy also told his parents that the assailants had covered the motorcycle’s number plate, making identification difficult.

Evan’s father, Virendra Sharma, a Kendriya Vidyalaya employee posted in Hardoi, has submitted a written complaint to the Krishna Nagar police. The police have stated that the matter is under investigation and efforts are being made to identify and trace the accused.

The incident has once again raised concerns over child safety and police response time in residential areas of the city.