Putting all the speculations to rest, Commissioner of Police (CP) YB Khuraia on Sunday said wonder Budhia Singh along with his mother Sukanti Singh is now in Kodaikanal of Tamil Nadu.
“I had talked to Budhia and his mother over phone. They said that they have gone there of their own and are in good state there. They will go Mumbai and will arrive in Bhubaneswar by July 24-25,” said Khurania.
The top cop said police would interrogate them after they reach Bhubaneswar.
Earlier in the day, the Nayapalli police on Sunday registered a case of abduction regarding the disappearance of the wonder boy.
The case was registered under Section 363 of IPC (Kidnapping), sources said. A police team also quizzed Budhia’s elder sister at the Salia Sahi slum here in this connection.
On Saturday, the Khordha Child Welfare Committee (CWC) had asked the Commissionerate police to trace the boy marathon runner. The CWC also on Saturday served notice to movie producer Subhamitra Sen asking him to inform whether Budhia is with him as he is making a film on the boy’s life.
There is a buzz in the sports circles that Budhia has left for Mumbai to promote Budhia Singh: Born to run, a movie based on his struggles. But now, reports stated that Budhia along with his mother Sukanti Singh is holidaying in Tamil Nadu.
Budhia had gone to his house at Salia Sahi in the city on May 10 after the Sports Hostel, where he was staying, closed down for summer vacation. Since then, he has not returned though the hostel reopened on June 4. Budhia also skipped his classes at the DAV School, Chandrasekharpur, where he is a student.
While the hostel authorities have no information on the whereabouts of the boy, sources said he has taken leave from the school authorities till July 27.