Coimbatore: Textile trader abducted, robbed; four of gang held

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore City Police have arrested four members of a 10-member gang for abducting and robbing a 25-year-old textile trader from West Bengal of Rs 26.54 lakh in cash, a sovereign of gold jewellery and two mobile phones.

The arrested men have been identified as Vinod (37), and Vinoth Kumar (39), both from Dindigul; Shanmugaraj (44), from Tiruchy; and Senthil Kumar (45), from Mayiladuthurai. Police said they recovered Rs 26 lakh in cash, a mobile phone and gold jewellery from the accused.

According to police, the victim, Deepjit Rana, a garment trader from West Bengal, had come to Coimbatore for business. He was abducted at knifepoint from a hotel on August 17 and held captive by the gang in Palladam. Rana was released on August 18 after robbing him of Rs 26.54 lakh, a sovereign of gold jewellery and a mobile phone. Rana, who sustained injuries in the assault, was admitted to a private hospital for treatment.

Based on his complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of the four accused. Further investigation is under way.