Trio kidnaps techie, clicks naked photos to blackmail, arrested

Among the accused, P Tamilselvan (20) of Virugambakkam is a functionary of DMK’s literary wing, while P Saravanan (23) of Virugambakkam works in Uber Eats as a delivery boy. The other accused, K Manikandan (32) of Virugambakkam, is an autorickshaw driver, said police. Saravanan had registered as a driver with Rapido, a bike taxi aggregator.

The incident happened on Friday evening when the victim, V Srikumar (30) of KK Nagar who works in a software firm in Chromepet, booked a two-wheeler taxi on Rapido App around 5 pm to go to a mall in Vadapalani. Saravanan, who had registered his two-wheeler with the application received alert for the trip, but he called Srikumar and told him that he would come in a car as it was raining.

In his complaint, Srikumar said that he did not suspect the foul play and agreed to go with Saravanan who arrived in a white Maruti Ciaz. There were two other persons in the car, but Saravanan told him they were also customers and asked him board the vehicle. However, instead of going to Vadapalani, the car took turn on Anna Main Road towards Ashok Pillar. When Srikumar inquired, the other two persons attacked him and robbed him Rs 11,000 at knifepoint. The trio took Srikumar to Guindy in the car and removed his clothes to click naked photos of him, the victim claimed.

Around 7 pm, they dropped him near his house in KK Nagar. They threatened to leak him nude photos online if he failed to give them Rs 50,000 on Saturday.

Srikumar initially lodged a complaint at Guindy police station on Saturday and as per their direction, he lodged another complaint at KK Nagar.

A team led by crime inspector Prema combed the CCTV footage and confirmed the incident. Later, they traced Saravanan using his mobile phone number. Based on his inputs, the others were arrested and also seized the car. All three were remanded in custody on Sunday.

However, after inquiry, police found that Saravanan knew the victim and had used his services in the past. Police officials said the trio did not have any previous cases against them. “They were under the impression that the victim would not go to police as they had his nude photos,” said an officer.