Man fakes abduction, demands Rs 1 cr from father

A debt-ridden man allegedly faked his kidnapping to extort money from his father, a hotelier and businessman from Chinchwad.

Amit Abhay Chordiya of Sambhaji Chowk, Nigdi Pradhikaran, had lodged a complaint with the Pune police on Thursday evening that his brother Abhishek (28) was kidnapped and the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of US$ 3,50,000 (approximately Rs 1.8 crore) within two days for his release. The FIR was registered at Nigdi police station.

Police were told that on September 19, Abhishek, Amit and Abhay had reportedly received a call on their cell phones from one Shakeel, who claimed to be a member of a Dubai-based mafia gang.

A major search operation was launched involving senior police officers, including Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol. However, around 12.30 pm on Friday, Abhishek called his father Abhay Chordiya and informed him that he had been released. Abhishek reportedly told him that he was kidnapped by some persons when he had gone with his driver Ravi Dhakne to Bhakti Shakti Chowk in Nigdi to give his car for servicing. He said the kidnappers released him and driver Dhakne at Ahmednagar and that both were returning to Pune.

Police said Abhishek used to run a perfume shop in Pune Camp which ran into losses. He had a debt of about Rs 40 lakh and he had faked his own kidnapping with the help of his friends to raise money. Later, when sleuths from anti-extortion cell of Pune police Crime Branch interrogated Abhishek, he admitted to have faked his kidnapping.

"Interrogation confirmed that Abhishek had faked his kidnapping with the help of his friends. We are searching for his friends involved in the plan," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rajesh Bansode.

Asked if an offence would be registered against Abhishek, Bansode said it was not decided as the investigation was on.

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