MUMBAI: In a daring car hijacking, three men kidnapped a businessman and a driver from the Western Express Highway in Bandra, then dumped 20km away in kandivli entrepreneurs and disappeared with his driver and SUV.
Three accused-Krishna Saidapur (23), Sameer Shaikh (25), and Devraj Pawar (23) -have allegedly demanded that employers pay Rs 5 lakh in exchange for drivers, Shambhu Chaipal, and vehicle.
Chaipal later released, but the SUV is still elusive.
The trio had been arrested.
Complainant, exporters of spices and dried fruits, living in the western suburbs.
In June 2021, one of the former employees have been introduced to Saidapur, Shaikh and Pawar.
employers have financial dealings with three people, but know them only by their aliases.
On January 26, a businessman traveling to Navi Mumbai to work in the SUV when the incident took place.
In his complaint, he said that around 12:45, when his vehicle was stuck in traffic on the Western Express Highway near Kalanagar flyover, Saidapur, Shaikh and Pawar suddenly appeared and started banging the door of his SUV.
entrepreneur opened the door.
Two slid into the back seat with him, while one went into the front passenger seat.
The men threatened Chaipal follow their instructions and get him to redirect vehicles to Thakur Village in Kandivli (E).
There, they lowered entrepreneurs and told him to get Rs 5 lakh if he wanted to see the driver and his car again.
“Accusing initially demanded Rs 10 lakh, but took it to Rs 5 lakh,” said senior inspector Anand Hake Samta Nagar police.
Employers fear called a friend and they approached the Samta Nagar police.
FIR filed for abduction, confinement and robbery under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Three police teams fanned out to search for Chaipal and SUVs.
At that time, the defendant began using Chaipal phone to make calls to employers.
They called to the gas station in Borivli (W) with the money late at night.
Police kept watch at the site, but no trace of the kidnappers.
Some time later, Chaipal seen walking alone toward them.
He told the businessmen that the accused had beaten him, retrieved the phone and told him to get money from her employer.
Around 02:00, the next day, the kidnappers rang businessmen and arrange another meeting point for the money drop.
But they kept changing the location.
“At that time, we got information about the location of the two defendants,” said deputy commissioner (crime branch) Sangramsinh police Nishandar.
Pawar and Shaikh were caught by the crime branch, while Saidapur caught by Samta Nagar police.
“Pawar had a past assault case against him,” said senior inspector Vilas Bhosle from the crime branch.
Shaikh autorickshaw driver.
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