Businessman kidnapped for ransom, rescued in 24 hours

An eight-member gang, who kidnapped a city-based businessman for ransom, was arrested after a swift operation by the special teams of Chennai Police late on Tuesday night. The kidnappers were nabbed while they were collecting the ransom. Cash, weapons and vehicles were also seized from them.

Around 8.30 pm on Monday, a police sub inspector and few others came to the home of lorry transport operator Ganesan’s house in Karikalan Nagar in Red Hills. Ganesan, who underwent a surgery on his leg recently, and a maid were at home when the ‘policeman’ and others took him near a car in the corner of the street, apparently for an ‘inquiry’.

Ganesan, who was wearing only a shorts and shirt at that time, did not return, and when his relatives tried reaching out to him over the mobile phone that he was carrying, it was found to be switched off. That is when his relative Ramachandran received a call from the gang, demanding Rs 25 lakh as ransom. Ramachandran immediately informed the police. 

Acting as per their advice, the family members began negotiating with the gang over ransom money, without revealing that they had approached the police. They told the kidnappers that they were not in a position to arrange Rs 25 lakh in such a short notice, and said they can arrange only Rs 7 lakh. In the meanwhile, immediately after receiving the complaint around 10 am on Tuesday, police teams supervised by additional commissioner H Jayram, joint commissioner Prem Anand Sinha and deputy commissioner C Kalaichelvan, swung into action. 

Three special teams were formed to track mobile phone signals and also to browse the CCTV footages. In the evening, the gang asked the relative of the victim to come with Rs 7 lakh, as the first instalment of ransom, to a place near Vandalur. While the transaction was in the process, the police team made a dramatic entry and nabbed gang leader Vadakarai Sakthi (49), Siva (39), Suman (39), Madhankumar (27), Ganesh (37), Ashok (35), Rajesh (21) and Sathishkumar (25).

Sakthi has 13 cases, including a murder and 3 cases of murder attempts, pending against him. According to police, it was Sakthi’s associate Suman who dressed up as a sub inspector while kidnapping Ganesan. The victim was safely rescued and the ransom amount was recovered intact. Police also seized two sickles, one nail puller, one set of police uniform and two cars from the gang.