New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) A trader here has been arrested for staging his 12-year-old son’s abduction to frame his rival and settle scores with him, police said Wednesday.

Ajeet Sharma was arrested Tuesday along with two of his associates – Abhishek Shruti, 22, and Sunil Kumar, 32 – for staging his son’s kidnapping. Their fourth accomplice, identified as Anil, is still on the run, an official said.

The police said Sharma, 36, reported that his son, a Class 8 student, was abducted from outside his school in Anand Vihar area Nov 3. Sharma said he received a ransom call, demanding Rs.3 million for his son’s release.

While he was being questioned, Sharma said he suspected one of his rivals. The police said the boy was found abandoned in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh two days after his reported abduction.

‘Sharma’s conduct was suspicious ever since he reported the incident. He broke down during sustained interrogation and confessed to staging the abduction of his son to implicate his rival. He hatched the plan with Sunil Kumar, Anil and Abhishek Shruti,’ said Additional Commissioner of Police (east Delhi) Anand Mohan.

‘Sharma even emotionally blackmailed his own child to join the conspiracy. He handed over his son to Kumar and Shruti, who took him away to Haridwar. As per the plan, Anil made the ransom call to confuse the police,’ Mohan added.