Snapchat link under probe in minor kidnapping, rape case:Missing Mandsaur student found in UP; Meerut youth arrested

A 16-year-old minor girl who went missing from the Dalauda police station area in Mandsaur was recovered from Greater Noida after 11 days, police said on Thursday. The girl had been missing since January 26. She was traced and rescued following a police investigation based on technical evidence and social media inputs. Police have arrested Mohammad Shakeel, a resident of Meerut, in connection with the case. The accused was brought to Mandsaur along with the minor and produced before a court, which remanded him to two days of police custody. Contact through social media Police said the accused had been in contact with the minor for about a year through the social media platform Snapchat. The girl did not own a mobile phone and used a tablet to communicate with him. Investigators said the accused gained the minor’s trust over time and made false promises of marriage. Police are examining whether he was in contact with other minors through social media platforms. Kidnapping and recovery After nearly a year of online communication, the accused travelled from Meerut to Mandsaur and allegedly took the minor with him on January 26. When the girl did not return home, her family lodged a missing complaint at the local police station. A case of kidnapping was registered, and a search operation was launched. The minor was traced to Greater Noida and safely recovered after 11 days. Charges under POCSO Act According to police, the victim is a Class 10 student. The accused allegedly raped her on the false promise of marriage. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused was taken in a police procession while being produced before the court.. About Snapchat Snapchat is a messaging application where photos, videos, and chats disappear after a short time. Due to its disappearing-message feature, retrieving digital evidence can be difficult. Cyber experts warn that such platforms can pose risks to minors, as offenders may misuse privacy features to build trust and commit crimes