MOHALI: An aspiring singer allegedly kidnapped an 11-year-old boy from Kurali on April 6 in order to secure money to release a Punjabi music album, police said on Tuesday after arresting him.

According to police, the accused is Sahil Verma (25), who belongs to

and resides in Paprali village in a rented accommodation.

senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harcharan Singh Bhullar said Verma wanted to gain fame in Punjabi music industry and had started taking music classes. He had made a music video in 2016 and was keen to make a music album. Police said he told them during interrogation that he also wanted to go Mumbai to work in the film industry but was running out of money.

"Verma had bought a Maruti 800 car 15 days back to commit the crime. For three days, he went to a stadium situated near Kurali, developing a friendship with Ashish Jot Singh, the victim, and two other children by buying burgers for them. On April 6 evening, the accused went to the vegetable market in Kurali and met the three. He bought ice-cream for them and persuaded Ashish to get into his car," the SSP said.

The SSP said Verma took Ashish to a hotel in Ludhiana for the night. He called up the victim's mother and demanded Rs 2 lakh. Later, he realised his location could be traced and went to Ambala, leaving his car behind. Police had recovered the boy from Ambala railway station on April 7 morning.