Kidnap complaint halted search operations

BANGALORE: Rihan Pasha's body was found in a drain on Saturday. He'd been missing since Feb 15. A two-day search operation was launched on Feb. 16 jointly conducted by BBMP along with fire and emergency services.
But the search operations was halted after Shaukhat, Rihan's grandfather, filed a kidnap case suspecting his second wife Noorjahan. But the attendance registrar and the confirmation made by co-workers of Noorjahan proved that she was at work on February 15, particularly the time when the boy went missing.
Senior fire official said: "The fire department personnel had done their best efforts during the search operation but unfortunately failed. The heavy rain on Friday evening may have pushed the body to the surface," he said.
Parentspeak
Siddiqui Pasha says a fence erected on the drain's parapet could have saved his son. "Had there been a fence across the drain, my son would have been alive now. Senior officials must become active at least now and take steps to avoid such tragedies near the rajakaluve (big drain). There should be no more Rihan Pasha cases in the city," he said.
What Next
Police are waiting for the autopsy report before starting a fresh investigation. A senior police official said that it looks like a case of drowning, but they don't want to take any chances. "If there is water inside the lungs, it's drowning. If not, we shall start a fresh investigation" he said.
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com