Gang member held for holding bizman hostage

MUMBAI: The crime branch on Saturday arrested a member of the Santosh Shetty gang for allegedly confining a businessman and his son in Bangkok, after luring them there with a promise to help them procure a bank loan. The victim was finally released after a part of the ransom was paid.
Rajesh Purshottam Chaturani alias Raju Sindhi (43) was arrested after officials of the anti-extortion cell learnt that he was likely to be near Metro Cinemas on Saturday.The police seized 11 mobiles, 17 SIM cards, two driving licences and two credit cards from him. The police said three more persons, Anil, Badresh Shah and gangster Santosh Shetty alias Nik Sharma, were involved.
The businessman, Gopal Padiya, had lodged a complaint after Shetty was deported last year from Bangkok.
In 2010, Padiya wanted a Rs 15 crore loan for business expansion. In June, Padiya met one Surjeet Ghosh through a common reportedly told him friend. Ghosh reportedly told him that he knew some banks in Bangkok where Padiya could get loan at lower interest rates. Ghosh then asked Padiya to visit Bangkok for a meeting with the bank officials. “Ghosh, Padiya and Padiya’s son, Monish, flew to Bangkok and met Nik Sharma in a hotel. Sharma promised Padiya a loan and asked him to pay Rs 21 lakh, which he did,” said Nitin Alaknure, senior inspector, ANC.
A month later, after Sharma again asked the businessman to visit Bangkok, Ghosh, Padiya and Monish flew to Bangkok in September. “During the meeting, Sharma asked Badresh Shah and Raju Sindhi to tie Padiya and Monish up. They started assaulting them and demanded a ransom of Rs 15 crore. Sharma told Padiya that he was underworld don Santosh Shetty,” said Sudhir Dalvi, investigating officer.
The father-son duo was held hostage for a week. They then let Monish go after he promised to arrange for money. His father was held back for 17 days. Monish called up Shetty and told him that he was unable to arrange the money. Finally, they released Padiya after part of the money was paid.