Constable Lootan Yadav at Nitish’s darbar on Monday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Aug. 1: Policemen, generally the target of brickbats in case of a criminal incident, are also vulnerable to the nefarious designs of law offenders.

This revelation came to the fore when a constable broke down while narrating the story of his son’s disappearance at the janata darbar of chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Amrendra Kumar, an engineering student and son of constable Lootan Yadav, posted at Jakkanpur police station, has been missing for the past four months. Tired after months of running around in search of his only son, Yadav today pleaded to the chief minister to rescue Amrendra, who, he claimed, was kidnapped by criminals.

After saluting Nitish, the constable said: “Sir, my son was kidnapped four months ago. I have no idea of his whereabouts. I have visited the offices of many senior officers, including the SSP and the DGP, but no initiative has been take so far in this regard. After getting zero response and disappointment from most of the offices, I have come to your janata darbar. Sir, you are the only and last hope for me. Kindly do something to find out my son. He is my only child.”

Nitish listened to Yadav quietly and read his application carefully. He then asked the constable to visit the table of deputy inspector-general (DIG), central range, Vineet Vinayak.

As soon as Yadav reached Vinayak’s table he started crying in front of the officer. Another policeman came to hold him and made him take a chair and sit down. It was only after a few minutes of consolation from people around that Yadav realised he was sitting in front of non other than an IPS-rank officer.

Without wasting further time he stood up and gave a salute to Vinayak.

As he lodged his complaint with the senior officer, his tears kept trickling down his cheeks. “Sir, kindly help me, my son has been kidnapped and the senior police officers are not doing anything to locate him. An FIR has also been registered and names of four of his friends have been given on suspicion of a role in the disappearance. However, nothing has come out so far. I really do not know what to do now.”

He further said: “After the FIR, mobile calls were traced and it was found that the last call made on my son’s cell phone was from somewhere in Patliputra Colony. Amrendra used to stay in Adarsh Hostel in the same colony. I have a doubt that he has been kidnapped by his friends. Now, I don’t know where he has been kept. Kindly help me out in this case.”

Vinayak asked Yadav if he suspected anyone else too and did he have any enmity with anyone back home or in the area where he is posted.

On this Yadav said: “No sir, I don’t have any enmity with anyone here and at my home town.”

After this, the DIG called up the police officer concerned from his cellphone and inquired about the development in the case. Vinayak asked the officer on the other side to meet him tomorrow at his office.

Vinayak said: “A case has come up today at chief minister’s janata darbar regarding a constable’s missing son. The policeman is telling me that his son has been kidnapped. What steps have you taken in this case? I want you to visit my office tomorrow along with the investigating officer.”

This initiative from the DIG was enough for the constable to calm down and feel positive. He got from his seat and left the table after saluting the senior once again.

The Telegraph asked Yadav if he had got any ransom call. He said: “My son is too young. He is just an 18-year-old boy and I don’t want to lose him. I have not received any ransom call since the time my son has been missing.”

The constable left 1 Aney Marg with a hope the DIG will make sure his son returns home soon.