Youth stages own abduction in Basti

Lucknow: An investigation by Basti police has revealed that a 22-year-old youth, reported missing from the Rudhauli area on Feb 7, staged his own abduction due to mental stress caused by mounting debt.The incident came to light on Monday after police analysed technical evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements. Necessary legal action is now being initiated.
On Feb 7, 2026, the complainant, Sanjay Chaudhary, informed Rudhauli police in Basti that his younger brother, Sonu Chaudhary (22), had gone missing on the night of Feb 6 near the Kohra canal culvert. Sonu had reportedly called his fiancée, claiming that five to six unidentified men surrounded, assaulted and abducted him. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under Section 140(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and a search operation was launched. Considering the seriousness of the allegation, a special police team was constituted under the supervision of the Rudhauli station in-charge, said SP Basti Yesh Veer Singh. Singh said that during the investigation, police found that Sonu had hired an autorickshaw driven by Gulam Hussain Ansari, who dropped him around 25 km away at Bade Van Chauraha in Basti. "CCTV footage showed Sonu walking safely in Basti city about 55 minutes after the alleged kidnapping. Further, the driver and conductor of bus number UP78 KN 0179 confirmed that Sonu later boarded a Lucknow-bound bus," he added. Amid the search operation, Sonu later appeared at the police station and confessed to fabricating the abduction story. He said that he was under severe stress due to a debt of Rs 1 lakh and was facing constant pressure from lenders, along with ongoing family issues. He also said he had purchased a two-wheeler on loan and was unable to find buyers when he tried to sell it.