COIMBATORE: A realtor was kidnapped by a gang at Angalammanpuram near Kottaipirivu on Wednesday for failing to buy land for the gang leader in Kerala.
While the realtor was rescued by the rural police, five kidnappers including a soldier from Indian Army and a college student were arrested.
Three more people managed to escape.
Police said M Mohamed Shaji, 46, a native of Muthuvallur near Malappuram in Kerala, was engaged with real estate business.
He was staying in a rental house at Angalammanpuram near Kottaipirivu.
A Mohammed Shafiq, 28, from Malappuram in Kerala, had given Rs 54 lakh to Mohamed Shaji three years ago to buy land in Kerala.
Shaji did not buy the land and failed to return the amount to Shafiq.
When Shafiq asked Shaji to return the amount multiple times, he refused to provide the amount.
In a fit of rage, Mohammed Sahfiq brought seven more people to Kottaipirivu on Wednesday and assaulted Shaji using a knife on his left hand and right thigh.
The gang kidnapped Shaji in a car.
Meanwhile, the Periyanaickenpalayam police received the information and alerted all the police stations in the district.
The Karamadai police secured Mohammed Shafiq and rescued Shaji from him.
Police arrested R Raheesh, 27, M Javid, 27, S Anand, 22, a nursing student and A Jinnu P Ajith, 25, all residents of Malappuram.
Police said Ajith has been working in the intelligence wing of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir and he returned to his hometown on 30 days leave.
But he was involved in the kidnapping.
Police seized three cars from them.
The Periyanaickenpalayam police registered a case against the eight-member gang for kidnapping and attempting to murder the realtor.
Shaji was admitted to the Mettupalayam government hospital.