Hyderabad: Panjagutta police arrested seven persons, who claimed to be Income-Tax officials, in connection with the kidnap of a businessman B.V. Murali Krishna. The accused include the victim's brother-in-law P. Rajesh.
Inquiries revealed that Rajesh, who works for Murali Krishna, hatched the kidnap plan to raise funds for his ailing daughter’s treatment.
Ironically, Rajesh was with Murali Krishna after the latter was set free by the kidnappers and when he lodged his police complaint. and during the questioning also. Police even inquired with him, as it was alleged that he was also kidnapped and assaulted by the kidnappers.
Rajesh was aware of the financial ins and outs of Murali Krishna’s education consultancy which was doing a roaring business.
Rajesh and his cousin Raghavendra planned the kidnap and contacted the other accused. Later, they hired an Innova from their native in Vijayawada, drove to Hyderabad, did a recce and kidnapped the victim on January 27.
Although the kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs 60 lakh, the victim’s wife arranged Rs 30 lakh and gave it to Rajesh for handing over to the kidnappers. Rajesh gave the amount to his associates and sent them to Vijayawada while he remained in the city, as a moral support for his sister and brother-in-law.
Even as the other accused travelled to Goa and other cities, police began a deep probe. Based on clues and technical evidence, they first confronted Rajesh, who admitted to masterminding the plot and revealed the whereabouts of his partners in crime. When the associates came to Hyderabad to meet Rajesh, police nabbed them.
Panjagutta ACP S. Mohan Kumar said that Rs 15.04 lakh cash, the Innova and a bike were seized from them. All accused have been sent to judicial remand.
