Firozabad trader’s kidnappers demand ₹100 crore ransom

LUCKNOW: The kidnappers of trader Sanjiv Gupta, who was abducted in Tundla area of Firozabad district on July 22, have demanded Rs 100 crore ransom from his family for his safe release.

IG, Public Grievances, GL Meena said the ransom message was sent from Gupta’s mobile phone to his wife Sarika Gupta and other family members through WhatsApp on Sunday night. Sarika informed the police on Monday.

A partner in the popular food chain, Sagar Ratna, located on National Highway-2 near Raja Ka Taal village in Firozabad, Gupta left for home in his car on Saturday evening after attending a meeting.

When he did not reach home, which is just 2 km from his food chain outlet, the family members tried to phone him but both his mobile phones were found switched off.

Sarika and her nephew Vikalp Gupta then lodged a missing complaint. On Monday the car of Gupta was found parked near a workshop on Firozabad-Aligarh border.

On Sarika’s complaint, police lodged FIR against Neeta Pandey, Pardeep Pandey and Amit Gupta who are partners of Sanjiv in the business.

According to the IG, “There was a dispute between the partners over transaction of money”.

Four police teams have been constituted to trace Gupta.

“Along with business dispute, we are studying all aspects of the kidnapping. The Special Task Force (STF) has been roped in to get Gupta freed. Raids have been conducted on hideouts of the suspected kidnappers in the West UP,” Meena said.

ALONG WITH FOOD CHAIN BUSINESS GUPTA WAS PARTNER IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, REAL ESTATE BUSINESS ETC

To dodge the police, the kidnappers are regularly changing their location and using Gupta’s mobile to communicate with his family members. Through electronic surveillance, police traced the location of his mobile in Delhi and Chandigarh.

The police of both the states have been alerted. A police team from UP has been sent to both the locations to track the kidnappers, Meena added.

A senior police officer said along with food chain business Gupta was partner in educational institutions, real estate business, glass business and was also running a monthly lottery business in Firozabad and neighbouring districts.