Santosh Aggarwal, who owns a hosiery factory, told the police that an unidentified man called up in the night to say that his daughter, Richa, was with him. Though the caller did not demand a ransom, he warned Aggarwal with dire consequences if he reported the matter to the police.

Around 7.30 p.m. yesterday, Richa was playing with her friends outside her house. While Aggarwal was visiting some acquaintances at that time, Richa's mother Krishna and elder sister Neha, 7, were at home.

A groundnut vendor in the vicinity reportedly told the police that he spotted Richa walking with a tall man around the same time. The man's face was partially covered with a shawl.

``I thought the man was an acquaintance. Besides, I did not notice anything suspicious. And she was not crying,'' says the vendor who knows Richa.

The police say the children, who were playing with Richa, have also confirmed that a tall man approached her. He reportedly offered to buy her sweets, if she accompanied him.

A senior officer says: ``It is likely the man knows about Aggarwal and his business''.