Punjab boy demands ransom from relative on social media

A 14-year-old boy in Punjab has been involved in posting a ransom demand on social media. The police discovered the case while investigating a concerning message sent on Instagram. According to Senior Superintendent of Police Akhil Chaudhary, the boy demanded either a bitcoin or ₹90 lakh (about $109,000) and an SUV from his relative, Sandeep, who lives in Karamgarh village. Sandeep is a software engineer currently working in Mohali. On March 15, the boy threatened to harm Sandeep’s family if the ransom was not paid, suggesting he was closely monitoring Sandeep's movements. After Sandeep reported the message to the police, investigators determined that the threat originated from the minor. The police found that the issue stemmed from family matters and noted that the boy had no criminal intentions. He is now with his family, and authorities are providing him with counseling. The case was formally registered on March 19. SSP Chaudhary emphasized the need for parents to educate their children about social media usage. He encouraged adults to supervise their children's activities on these platforms.