Tamil Nadu: Businessman abducted, let off after saying he is deep in debt

Coimbatore: A 46-year-old businessman, allegedly abducted by some persons in Tirupur district, was let off after he told them that he was deep in debt and could pay them only a small fraction of the ransom amount they demanded.

Six persons, disguised as policemen, allegedly accosted Arumugam as he was returning home last night and took him inside a car on the pretext of an enquiry. They then sought details of his property and demanded that he pay Rs 6 crore as ransom, police said.

However, when the businessman told the accused that he was already in debt of Rs 2 crore and can pay only Rs 5 lakh, they tied him up and dropped him near the Salem-Villupuram border.

Arumugam managed to free himself, reached a tollgate this morning and contacted a nearby police station, police said, adding he has lodged a complaint claiming that some persons had earlier threatened to abduct him.