Thane: Taunts Over Sexuality Allegedly Led to Brutal Murder of 12-Year-Old, Police Reveal

Thane, 28th March 2024: The investigation into the tragic murder of a 12-year-old boy, initially presumed to be linked to extortion, has taken a surprising turn. Police have revealed that the extortion calls made following the murder were part of an attempt to mislead investigators. According to initial statements from the accused, they allege that the victim had taunted the main accused by insinuating that he was gay, leading to a buildup of resentment.

The Kulgaon police, collaborating with the local Crime Branch, have apprehended Saufuan Maulvi (21), Salman Maulvi (20), and Abdulla Nazir Maulvi in connection with the case. “All the accused have been presented in court and remanded in police custody as we continue our inquiries,” stated a police official.

During interrogation, Saufuan claimed that the victim had persistently teased him by suggesting he was gay. “Saufuan asserted that he had confronted the victim on multiple occasions, urging him to desist from such taunts, but the harassment persisted,” explained a police officer. “Finally, he enlisted the help of Salman and Abdulla, and together they committed the heinous act,” the officer added.

The police recounted that the victim went missing after attending prayers on Sunday evening. His parents initiated a search and reported the matter to the authorities, who promptly circulated his image on social media. The accused then demanded a ransom of Rs 25 lakh, using two different SIM cards for communication. The police traced the location to Goregaon village in Badlapur, where the boy’s lifeless body was discovered in a gunny bag at a nearby residence.

“At first, suspicions arose that the accused had murdered the boy after his image was circulated on social media,” noted a police official. “However, Saufuan claims they committed the crime an hour before making the ransom call, aiming to sow confusion and divert suspicion from themselves,” the official added. The victim’s father expressed bewilderment, stating, “Saufuan often gave my son chocolates. I fail to comprehend why he resorted to such extreme measures. If he needed money, I would have arranged it or sought assistance.”

News of the boy’s brutal demise spread rapidly, drawing a large crowd to his funeral. The Kulgaon police have filed charges against the accused for kidnapping, murder, and conspiracy, recognizing the calculated nature of their actions.