Gujarat man stages own kidnapping, demands Rs 50 lakh ransom to cover stock market losses
Surat: What initially appeared to be a high-profile kidnapping case in Gujarat has turned out to be an alleged self-staged abduction by a debt-ridden man seeking to escape financial troubles. According to Surat Police, 30-year-old Jignesh Laljibhai Talaviya, a resident of Mota Varachha, fabricated his own kidnapping and demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh from his family after suffering heavy stock market losses.
The case came to light on June 12 when Jignesh’s wife approached Utran Police Station and reported him missing. She told police that he had left home on June 11 without informing anyone and had not returned.
Surat man fakes own kidnapping
Shortly after the missing person complaint was lodged, Jignesh’s family allegedly began receiving messages from his mobile phone claiming that he had been kidnapped. The sender demanded Rs 50 lakh for his release and warned that failure to arrange the money would result in his death.
The alarming messages prompted a large-scale investigation involving Utran Police, surveillance teams, technical experts and specialised units.
The situation became more serious when a video surfaced from Jignesh’s phone showing him appearing to be restrained. The footage strengthened suspicions of a genuine kidnapping and led police to intensify search efforts across state borders.
Investigators used mobile tracking, technical surveillance and intelligence gathering to trace his movements. Initial analysis suggested that his phone had travelled to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.
As the probe progressed, investigators noticed inconsistencies in the ransom video. Further analysis suggested the footage may have been recorded in Godhra rather than at a secret location controlled by kidnappers.
Acting on this lead, police searched hotels and lodges in Godhra and located Jignesh safely staying in a hotel on June 15.
During questioning, Jignesh allegedly admitted that no kidnapping had taken place. Police said he had voluntarily travelled from Surat to Ujjain before moving to Godhra, while sending ransom messages from his own phone.
According to investigators, the alleged motive was severe financial distress caused by stock market and options trading losses estimated between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 60 lakh. Utran Police have registered a case against him under Sections 212, 217 and 233 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.