Grief, Anger Sets in at Ankit's House
Patna: May 9, 2007
 Hopes soon turned into mourning at the house of 6-year old Ankit as soon as the news of his gruesome killing surfaced in the media on Wednesday. His parents, refusing to believe the shocking turn of events, cursed their fate as well as their servant Balram Paswan who, following his arrest on Tuesday night in Siwan, confessed of killing and burying Ankit in Saran.
The entire family, stunned at the latest development in the case, were crying their hearts out as neighbors and relatives tried to console them.
"We had high hopes that Ankit will soon return to his home safely but the news of his death has left everyone numb," said Ankit's grandfather Jagdish Prasad.
"I hope Balram is also tortured and killed in similar fashion; he does not deserve to live," said Ankit's mother who continued to slip into unconsciousness despite support from her husband and other family members.
Outside their home in Alamganj in Patna City, hundreds of sympathizers gathered to lend moral support to the grieving family. Everyone had just one question on their minds – why? What had the boy do to deserve this fate?
Anger could also be seen on everyone's face. "If only the police had acted promptly, Ankit would be alive today," they said.
Besides his parents, Ankit left behind a sister and a brother who were unable to make any sense out of this gut-wrenching development that has left everyone in a state of utter disbelief and confusion.
Meanwhile, the body of Ankit is yet to be recovered. A massive digging operation at the bank of Saryu river in Saran district is underway but until the body is found, the police are refraining from making any comment.
Ankit was kidnapped from his school by the domestic help Balram Paswan on April 12. Following his arrest last night, Paswan confessed of killing the boy by strangulating him with the help of his accomplice Sanjay Rajak.
Police may seek death penalty for both Paswan and Rajak, officials in Patna said.
Report further suggested that Paswan abducted and killed Ankit to get even with his father who had fired him from his position a few weeks ago. He was later re-hired at the behest of other family members.
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