Four held for kidnapping arhtiya; Rs15 lakh recovered

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, July 27

The district police have arrested four of the six men who kidnapped a Dirba-based commission agent (arhtiya) on July 17. The cops have recovered Rs 15 lakh of the Rs 26 lakh paid by the family as ransom.

The arhtiya, Kapil Dev, was on his way to his brick kiln when the accused intercepted his car near Camper village. They kidnapped him and took him to a rented room on the Sehajpura road in Samana town of Patiala.

Mandeep Sidhu, SSP, said: “The accused thrashed Dev and told him to arrange Rs 1.25 crore as ransom from his family. He called up his munshi, who contacted Dev’s brother-in-law Satpal. The latter, who also works as a commission agent, arranged Rs 26 lakh and handed it over to the accused at Kakrala Bhaika village that day. After taking the money, they released Dev.”

Three days later, the victim lodged a complaint with the Dirba police, who registered a case under Sections 364-A, 384, 342 and 506 of the IPC against unidentified persons.

The SSP said Kulwinder Singh Kala, Ravinder Singh, Happy Singh and Beant Singh were arrested last night near Kamalpur village, while Ranjit Singh and Gurpiar Singh were on the run.

“We have also seized a revolver, an air pistol and three cartridges. Raids are on to arrest the co-accused,” the SSP added.