Kolkata: Manoj Khandelwal, a city-based businessman, who was abducted on Wednesday night, has been rescued by the police in Asansol. Five persons have been arrested in this connection so far.
Police said the miscreants abducted Khandelwal from Girish Park area around 10.30 pm. A resident of Lake Town, the victim was travelling in a car when the miscreants stopped the vehicle. The miscreants overpowered his driver and pushed him out of the vehicle. The victim told the police that the miscreants were carrying firearms. He was also beaten up inside the moving vehicle. One of the miscreants drove the car. It also alleged that they threatened to kill Khandelwal if he tried to raise an alarm.
The victim told the police he learnt from the conversation of the accused that they were taking him to Jamui area. They miscreants were trying to take the businessman to Jharkhand. But their attempt was foiled as the police intercepted the car near Dendua More area under Salanpur police station in Asansol on early Thursday morning. The district police were conducting a checking when the vehicle was passing through the area.
Police have arrested five miscreants including the person who was driving the vehicle. The motive behind the abduction is yet to be confirmed by the police. According to the preliminary investigation police suspect that the accused might have an intention of demanding a ransom from the family members of the businessman. Police are also investigating if any old business rivalry led to the incident.
The police are interrogating the accused in this connection so far. Some firearms have been recovered from their possession. A detailed probe has been initiated in this regard.