Wife's Digital Decoy: How a UPI Payment Tricked Kidnappers and Led to Ex-Cop's Dramatic Rescue

In a heart-pounding saga of abduction, wit, and digital detective work, a former Punjab Police head constable, Paramjit Singh, was dramatically rescued from his kidnappers thanks to the quick thinking and ingenious strategy of his wife, Daljit Kaur. Her clever use of a small UPI transaction provided the crucial digital breadcrumb that led police straight to the abductors' lair in Uttar Pradesh.

The ordeal began on May 30, when Paramjit Singh, a retired officer, was lured under the pretext of a land deal in Phase-8, Mohali.

Unbeknownst to him, this was a trap set by a gang of criminals who then forcibly bundled him into a white Hyundai Verna car. The kidnappers, later identified as Sunny alias Baljeet, Ravi, Akash, Monu, and another accomplice, wasted no time in making their audacious demands. Initially, they called Paramjit’s family, demanding a staggering Rs 1.5 crore for his safe return.

After intense negotiation, the ransom was lowered to Rs 30 lakh, and then further to Rs 10 lakh.

It was Paramjit’s wife, Daljit Kaur, who emerged as the unsung hero. When the kidnappers contacted her using her husband's phone, she faced an agonizing dilemma. Instead of succumbing to panic, Daljit displayed remarkable composure and strategic brilliance.

She informed the abductors that she didn't have access to such a large sum of cash but offered a small UPI payment for her husband's food and well-being. "I can send some money for his food, but I don't have cash," she reportedly told them, cleverly feigning helplessness.

The unsuspecting kidnappers, perhaps seeing an easy way to extract some money and believing they were in control, agreed to her proposition.

Daljit promptly sent Rs 3,000 via UPI. This seemingly insignificant transaction, however, was the masterstroke that sealed their fate. As soon as the payment was made, the Mohali police, who had been alerted to the kidnapping and were working closely with Daljit, sprang into action. The digital footprint left by the UPI transaction provided an immediate and precise lead, tracing the account to a specific location in the Sardhana area of Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh.

Armed with this vital intelligence, the Mohali police swiftly coordinated with their counterparts in Meerut.

The local police acted with commendable speed and precision. On June 1, a special team from Meerut police raided the identified hideout. The operation was a success: Paramjit Singh was found and safely rescued. During the raid, three of the kidnappers – Sunny, Ravi, and Akash – were apprehended.

However, Monu and the fifth accomplice managed to evade capture, prompting an ongoing manhunt.

The swift resolution of this case underscores the power of modern digital forensics and the extraordinary courage and ingenuity of an ordinary citizen. Daljit Kaur’s presence of mind not only saved her husband from a perilous situation but also delivered a powerful blow against a criminal enterprise, proving that even in the face of grave danger, a clever mind can outwit the most cunning adversaries.

An FIR has been registered at the Phase-8 police station in Mohali, and investigations are continuing to bring the remaining culprits to justice.