Jeweller, 2 others held for abducting youth

The Loni Kalbhor police have arrested two persons for allegedly kidnapping a 24-year-old youth on October 16. The action came after the youth Ashish Paras Chajed (24) of Haveli, himself lodged a complaint in this regard.

The police claimed that a Hadapsar jeweller Omprakash Ranka had hired criminals to kidnap the youth to take revenge. The youth had allegedly sold gold ornaments worth Rs 5 lakh without Ranka’s consent a few months ago, they said.

The arrested persons have been identified as shop manager Diapk Chopda and Tariq. Police are in search of three others -- Ranka, Raju Kalbhor and Gotya Kalbhor.

“Ashish worked as a salesman in Ranka’s shop and had left the job a few months ago. During his tenure at the shop, Ashish had allegedly sold gold ornaments worth Rs5 lakh to someone without taking Ranka’s consent. When Ranka came to know about it, he started questioning him about the money,” superintendent of police Manojkumar Lohiya said.

Later, Ranka hatched a plan along with his manager Chopda and Raju to abduct Ashish. Accordingly, on October 16, Ranka asked Ashish to meet him at Uruli Kanchan area. When Ashish came he was kidnapped and taken in a vehicle to Ranka’s flat in a nearby area.

“After taking assurance from Ashish, the kidnappers released him on October 18 and also threatened him of dire consequences if he approached police. Ranka later threatened him again. Following which Ashish lodged a police complaint against Ranka and the kidnappers. As of now, we have arrested two persons in the case while three more are wanted. Our investigations are on.” Lohiya added.