Owner of batmaker BDM abducted in Meerut, ‘released’ within 24 hrs

Police claim 'rescue operation'

Sudhir Mahajan, the managing director of leading sports goods manufacturing company BD Mahajan and Sons Pvt Ltd, was abducted along with his driver Ravinder yesterday night while returning from office, just 5 km from his residence in Defence Colony here. However, in less than 24 hours, he was back home.

Mahajan was released by the gang of kidnappers in Falawada area of Meerut this evening. The police came to know about the release after he called up his family members soon after he was let go by the gang of kidnappers, confirmed sources in STF.

Mahajan's driver Ravinder has came out as the mastermind behind the kidnapping. He is yet to be arrested.

Meanwhile, Meerut SSP K Satya Narayan claimed that the police rescued Mahajan following an encounter with the gang of kidnappers in the forest of Sanauta village in Falawada area. They have arrested three of the accused — Sushil, Omveer and Manoj — from the spot while others escaped, he claimed.

He also claimed that no ransom was paid by the Mahajan family.

Satya Narayan said that Mahajan's driver Ravinder of Kithor area of Meerut had planned the kidnapping with the help of his associates — who belong to Kithor, Mawana and Falawada areas. The victim told the police that the kidnappers initially had taken him to Mawana forest, where they stayed till early morning and later moved to a sugarcane field at Sanauta village. He was shifted from the cane field to Sanauta forest later in the morning from where he was rescued, claimed the SSP.

However, STF sources told The Indian Express that Ravinder's family members and relatives were picked up this morning as his role was suspected in the kidnapping. The pressure mounted by his family members forced the gang to release Mahajan, the sources added.

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