Pune doctor kidnapped at knifepoint, forced to pay Rs 19 lakh ransom; four arrested

Pune: In a shocking incident, a Pune-based doctor was allegedly kidnapped at knifepoint, beaten and forced to pay a ransom of Rs 19 lakh by a gang that included his own car driver. Following an investigation, the police arrested the driver, along with his three aides, in connection with the case.

While the police could not recover the full amount, they seized Rs 7.8 lakh from the accused and also recovered the doctor's car that was used in the crime.

The incident took place on the night of January 10, when the 58-year-old doctor was travelling in his car from Uruli Kanchan to Kunjirwadi in Pune district. His driver was driving the car.

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According to police, the doctor’s car was stopped on the Pune–Solapur highway near Inamdar Wasti around 10.15 pm by another vehicle. Four men got out and forcibly entered the doctor’s car. They abducted the doctor at knifepoint by threatening to kill him and drove towards Shindavne village in his own car.

During the abduction, the accused allegedly thrashed the doctor and demanded money for his release. The doctor contacted his family, who managed to arrange Rs 4 lakh. After receiving the amount, the gang released him but demanded an additional Rs 15 lakh, threatening to kill him if the demand was not met.

He later paid Rs 15 lakh to the accused at a location in Chaufula village near Daund on January 12. The following day, he approached the police. After verifying the complaint, police registered a first information report (FIR) for kidnapping and extortion at the Uruli Kanchan police station on January 14 under sections 140(2), 140(3), 126(2), 127(2), 115(2), 117(2), 351(3), 308(2), 308(3) and 3(5).

Superintendent of Pune rural police Sandeep Singh Gill ordered a probe into the case. Teams from the Uruli Kanchan police station and the local crime branch (LCB) were formed to trace the accused.

During the investigation, police noticed suspicious behaviour from the driver. On sustained questioning, he confessed to planning the crime with his associates. Following his confession, the police arrested him and three of his associates.

Speaking to the Indian Express, Police Inspector Sachin Wangade of Uruli Kanchan police station said, "A search is on for three more persons involved in the crime. Rajguru had worked as a car driver for the victim doctor around three years ago. He had left the job and rejoined the doctor just five days before committing the offence. Probe revealed that the car driver conspired with his aides to kidnap the doctor and extort money. Accused Sunil Magar is a history-sheeter and has been booked in three criminal cases in the past. Further probe is on."

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