SURAT: Eight persons were arrested on Friday for being allegedly involved in the kidnapping of the 36-year-old businessman from Karimabad society on Ghod Dod Road in Surat.
Police also recovered Rs 99.14 lakh ransom money paid by the victim Komil Dudhwala’s family for his safe release. Dudhwala was kidnapped on Thursday morning from near his house and was released 10 hours later under mysterious circumstances.
According to police, the kidnappers were paid Rs 1 crore as ransom by Dudhwala’s family following which he was released.
Those arrested include Ajay Damla (21), Chirag Yadav (20), Sonu Goswami (20), Faijankhan Usman (21), Arvind Vaghel alias Vadher (46), Istiyak Shaikh (33), Irshad alias Chhotu Multani (26) and Santosh alias Sahid Patil (26). One accused Kano Bharwad is still absconding.
Two country-made pistols, three cartridges, two cars and a motorcycle were also recovered from the accused, who were nabbed from near Kosamba highway bridge during early hours on Friday.
Police said that the kidnappers, who had formed two teams to execute their plan, had come in two cars to divided the ransom money.
According to police, Multani was the mastermind behind the kidnapping. He had a debt of lakhs of rupees which he was unable to pay. He had his money requirement with Shaikh who contacted Damla for help.
All the accused involved people interested in making quick money and planned Dudhwala’s abduction.
“The state government and the police department has decided to give a reward of Rs 1 lakh to the team involved in the investigation,” said Ajay Tomar, Surat police commissioner.