Kidnap attempt on Padma Shri Phoolbasan Bai Yadav foiled in Chhattisgarh

An attempt to kidnap Padma Shri awardee and noted social worker Phoolbasan Bai Yadav was thwarted by timely police intervention in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district on Tuesday. Three persons, including two women, have been detained and are being questioned.

Phoolbasan Bai Yadav is the founder of the Maa Bamleshwari Janhit Samiti which is widely recognised for her work in empowering economically and socially disadvantaged women across the state.

Advertisement

Police said that the incident occurred at around 10 am on Tuesday. A woman, identified as Khushboo Sahu, who had come from Bemetara, reached Yadav’s residence along with her associates. The group called her outside on the pretext of an urgent discussion. As she approached them, she was allegedly forced into a car, and the vehicle sped away.

During the journey, the accused restrained her by tying her hands and covering her mouth with a cloth. Investigators believe they were attempting to move her out of the district.

The attempt began to unravel near the Chikhli police outpost on the Khairagarh route, where routine checking was underway. Police personnel stopped the vehicle for inspection. On noticing that the woman inside had her hands and mouth tied, they grew suspicious.

The occupants tried to mislead the police by claiming that the woman was suffering from an epileptic seizure and was being rushed to a hospital. However, a member of the checking team recognised her as Phoolbasan Bai Yadav. The police immediately intervened and detained the suspects.

Padma Shri Phoolbasan Bai Yadav was taken to the Chikhli outpost for safety. As the case falls under the jurisdiction of Sukul Daihan, the accused were later handed over to the police there. They are currently being questioned to determine the motive behind the attempted abduction and whether more people were involved.

The Police have confirmed that two women and one man are in custody. Further investigation is underway. Phoolbasan Bai Yadav was safely escorted back to her residence.