Bizman abducted over property dispute, rescued after 12 days

Madurai: A businessman abducted by a gang on April 6 in Madurai over a property dispute was rescued by the city police after 12 days on Friday as his abductors, sensing that police were hot on their trail, brought him back from outside the state where they took him. Eight people including key accused S Mariraj, 70, of Dindigul have been arrested.According to police, Karumuttu T Sundaram, 56, resided alone at Guru Nagar, Narayanapuram, in Madurai. On April 6, his sister and husband found that he was missing. On checking his house, they found that somebody had broken into and stolen some documents, CCTV camera hard disk and modem. On checking CCTV camera footage near his house, they found that he was kidnapped by a three-member gang in an SUV. Based on Sundaram's brother-in-law's complaint, Tallakulam police registered a case, and special police teams were formed to track him. It was found that Mariaraj harboured enmity towards Sundaram as he wanted to take over his property worth crores in Dindigul. Sundaram had approached Dindigul munsif court and got a favourable order, which Mariaraj has challenged before Madras high court.Police said it was in these circumstances that Mariaraj with the help of his friends, kidnapped Sundaram. He was taken to Karaikudi and later Mayiladuthurai by changing SUVs. Police traced one of the SUVs kept hidden in the house of accused Janamandhiran in Mayiladuthurai. On April 15, the team arrested Janamandhiran and four others. The next day, police picked up Mariaraj and seized the two SUVs used for the kidnapping. However, Sundaram's whereabouts could not be ascertained. On questioning those nabbed, it came to light that he was taken outside the state. Police tracked the movements of the other accomplices in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Police said that sensing this, the kidnappers decided to return. On Friday, police caught them from a car near Pandikovil in Madurai after they made their way via Dharmapuri and Trichy. Police said two accused who kidnapped Sundaram from near his house, C Ramachandran, 42, and L Giri, 48, tried to escape by jumping down from a bridge. "Both sustained injuries to their legs and were arrested and admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital," a police officer said.Sundaram was rescued and hospitalised. City police commissioner J Loganathan appreciated the team's efforts in ensuring the kidnapping victim was rescued alive. Investigation was on to identify and arrest other accused who may be involved.