Chennai: Chennai Police on Thursday arrested four persons for allegedly abducting a Chennai based businessman and demanding Rs 2 crore to release him.
Diwan Akbar, a printing press owner, was abandoned on East Coast Road or ECR after the ransom was reportedly paid to the kidnappers.
The abductors were part of a eight-member gang led by fugitive criminal Thoufique.
"I was kidnapped from Thanjavur by the gang in a car. They took me to Vadapalani, ECR road IN [in Chennai], locked me in houses and beat me up. I was asked to give a ransom amount of Rs 2 crore to let go, " his complaint read.
Akbar did not lodge a complaint until police started an investigation. The police and income tax department officials are also probing the angle of 'Hawala money'.
Police said, Akbar and Thouifique were at loggerheads on monetary issues. Various cases have been filed against Thouifique in the past for his involvement in criminal activities.
"A team of National Investigating Agency (NIA) has raided the alleged kingpin's house and we are also probing the 'Hawala money' angle. A special team has also been set up," said the cops.
Police are on the lookout for four other suspects involved in the case.
READ: Sterlite Copper approaches SC against Madras High Court order
