Incidentally, the class 2 student of Guru Nanak Public School, Rajouri Garden, had visited the same shop a few minutes earlier accompanied by his elder brother Harshdeep (10).

As the boy's family is not particularly well-off, Pankhit's abduction is suspected to be the result of mistaken identity. His father, Gurdip Singh, who earns about Rs 8,000 from his job at a Kirti Nagar-based furniture shop, is of the opinion that the real target may have been his neighbour, Inderjit Singh's son who's about the same age. The latter is apparently a successful businessman with a considerable income.

Gurdip Singh has ruled out personal enmity as a probable motive for the crime.

No ransom demand had been received till the time this report was filed. The police are investigating the case and are on the lookout for the kidnapper.