6 held on kidnapping, extortion charges

KARNAL: The Kaithal police claimed to have busted an extortion gang with the arrest of six persons, who allegedly lured youths by promising help in getting visa to go abroad and later extorting money by holding them captive.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Karim Rehman alias Desai, Akhilesh, and Gurdev Singh of Uttar Pradesh, Shashank, Moin Kureshi and Sameer of Mumbai.

Kaithal superintendent of police (SP) Maqsood Ahmed said that the accused were produced in the court. Gurdev and Akhilesh were sent to judicial custody, while the remaining four were taken on ten-day police remand.

Police officials associated with the investigation said that the arrests were made in connection with the kidnapping of a youth, Vikram Kumar, a resident of Bakal village of Kaithal district.

Kumar’s family members told police that the accused had promised him Canadian visa and he was asked to accompany them to Mumbai on October 28 for getting the visa and ticket, but instead they took him to Kolkata where he was held captive in a hotel and later at an isolated place.

The accused asked the victim to call his family members, informing them that he has reached Toronto airport and demand ₹ 10 lakh more. They also snatched USD 35,000 from him and his mobile phone. He was again forced to call his family members, demanding ₹ 2 lakh, according to the complaint. On getting suspicious, his family members informed police, following which police arrested travel agent Gurdev, who revealed the name of other gang members. The police later arrested them from Mumbai. Kumar was united with family.