Son of ex-serviceman abducted by gang in Madurai rescued in Kovilpatti; 3 held

MADURAI: The son of ex-serviceman who was abducted by a gang for ransoms on Saturday evening in Madurai was traced to Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district on Sunday night.

The youth was identified as R Parthiban (23), a resident of Villapuram Housing Board colony, Madurai, police sources said. The youth was a son of Raju, an ex-serviceman and was allegedly abducted in Madurai on Saturday night. Parthiban, was a graduate of Master of Business Administration and was in search of job, sources said.

On Saturday evening, the youth had left the house informing his parents that he was going to meet his friends. However, even after late hours, Parthiban did not return home. The parents got concerned of the son and soon Raju along with his relatives went on a search to find his missing son.

Meanwhile, Raju received an anonymous phone call saying that his son Parthiban was abducted and they sought a ransom of Rs 20 lakh to release Parthiban. The caller also warned that the ransom should be paid on time and if not he threatened to end Parthiban’s life.

Shocked by this, Raju approached the Avaniyapuram police station and sought their assistance to trace his missing son. The issue was taken to the attention of Madurai City Commissioner of Police S Davidson Devasirvatham. After an enquiry, the investigating team verified the call log recorded in Raju’s cell phone and soon two suspects were held in connection with the abduction.

Preliminary inquiry with the duo revealed that the abducted youth was kept at Vellakal in Tirunelveli. A special team was formed as per directive of the Commissioner of Police and three persons were arrested after tracing the missing youth. Evading arrest, the abductors left the youth at a remote locality in Kovilpatti and sped away. However, the team zeroed down the accused and arrested them. The arrested were identified as Balamurugan (22) of Villapuram, Saravanan and Murugan (21) of Mela Anupanadi, Madurai, sources said.

The ex-serviceman Raju received a phone call saying that his son Parthiban was abducted and would be released only if a ransom of Rs 20 lakh was paid