Patna, April 21 :Over eight months after 14-year-old Akash Pandey was kidnapped from Patna, abductors have demanded a ransom of Rs.1 million for his release, the police said Monday.

Akash, the only son of his parents, was abducted on his way to school Aug 10, 2007. The boy's father, Yogendra Pandey, said the abductors had sent a letter seeking the money.

"I founds a letter Sunday near my front door. The kidnappers claim the boy is alive and safe," Pandey said.

Said Patna Superintendent of Police Anwar Husain: "Yes, we have been informed that ransom has been demanded."

The parents have demanded that Akash's kidnapping case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Kidnapping has become a thriving industry in Bihar. Nearly 5,000 people, hundreds of children included, were abducted in the state last year. news