Cops rescue abducted NRI in Kurukshetra

Chandigarh, April 10 (IANS) The Chandigarh Police, with the assistance of the Kurukshetra police in Haryana, Tuesday rescued a young non-resident Indian (NRI) from his abductors within hours of him being abducted.

Police officers said that the Canada-based NRI, Navneet Singh, 28, was rescued from his abductors after a brief gun-battle near Kurukshetra town, 120 km from here.

Police officers here said that five people were arrested after the joint operation. This included the kingpin of the gang, Anil Kumar, 29.

The encounter took place at a dera (sect) campus in Dhurala village, 10 km from Kurukshetra.

Chandigarh's Inspector General of Police P.K. Srivastava told mediapersons that the accused had come in contact with the NRI some days ago in connection with the sale and purchase of property. He had met them Monday to see some land in Haryana but they took him to Sonipat town, 180 km from here, and held him captive.

Police said that the NRI was beaten up by the gang and had injuries on his body. They took away Rs.25 lakh in cash from his car and later forced him to call his brother in Canada to send more money as ransom.

Police sources said that the abductors had sought a ransom of Rs.1 crore from the family of the NRI. However, using the CCTV footage outside the house of the victim's residence in Chandigarh's Sector 18 and information provided by his servant, the police later raided the premises near Kurukshetra.

The victim was taken to the government hospital in Kurukshetra for treatment where doctors declared him out of danger.

The arrested abductors have been brought to Chandigarh by the police for interrogation.