Lucknow: With the arrest of momo vendor and his mother, Deoria police on Tuesday claimed to have cracked the case involving a minor who handed over jewellery worth Rs 85 lakh to the owners of a roadside fast-food joint in exchange for “unlimited free momos”.The case, which drew widespread attention due to the unusual modus operandi involving the class 7 schoolboy being lured with free food, pertained to the Rampur Karkhana police station area.
Superintendent of Police, Deoria, Sanjeev Suman said the accused were arrested near Dumri Tiraha on Tuesday night. During interrogation, one of the accused led the police to his residence, from where a large quantity of stolen silver ornaments, including anklets, payal, hand palani and toe rings, was recovered. Further recovery was made on the disclosure of another accused, who revealed that several gold ornaments were buried underground. The case came to light a temple priest claimed that his 12-year-old son was lured by the two accused into bringing gold and silver jewellery from home in exchange for unlimited free momos. The incident came to light when the priest’s wife and sister, who had kept their jewellery in a cupboard, could not find it there and enquired the family about it. The minor then told his father about the fast-food joint vendors. All recovered ornaments were seized, and further legal proceedings were underway. Police officials said other aspects of the case, including the full jewellery trail and possible involvement of others, were being investigated.
