Financier abducted for Rs 33 lakh, Chennai police on hunt for five persons

Chennai: The city police have been searching a gang of five persons who allegedly took a financier hostage for Rs 33 lakh ransom two days ago. The gang also robbed the financier of his 28 sovereigns of gold jewels.

The victim S. Mohan (49) of Vivekanandapuram Second Street in West Mambalam lodged a complaint at police commissioner office in Vepery. Mohan has been running a financial institution in the name of Vinayaka Enterprises on Pillaiyar Koil Street in Vadapalani.

According to the complaint, Saravanakumar was introduced to Mohan last month. Saravanakumar, in turn, had introduced another accomplice of him to Mohan and said that the man was in need of Rs 20 lakh loan to develop his medical equipment production company on OMR. Saravanakumar also arranged an inspection trip to the company, on May 23.

Although Mohan and his relative Manickam preferred their own car to reach the spot, Saravanakumar had insisted that Mohan should travel in their Innova car, the complaint said. To Mohan’s surprise, the car had taken Tambaram route and Saravanakumar and his accomplice pacified him by saying that the usual route might be chocked with traffic snarls.

When the car reached Mappedu village near Selaiyur, three unknown persons wearing mask boarded the car and stopped in a secluded spot after 30 minutes. “The five men threatened Mohan and Manickam with a knife and demanded Rs 1 crore as ransom,” Mohan said in his complaint.

As Mohan was unable to give the money, the gang finally settled for Rs 33 lakh. “The gang instructed Mohan to hand over the money to their another accomplice near Koyambedu. Abiding by their instruction, Mohan’s brother Ganesan handed over the money,” the police sources said. Meanwhile, the gang also robbed 28 sovereigns of gold jewels from Mohan and Manickam. Vadapalani police have registered a case and are investigating the case.