Bihar's kidnapped doctor, wife freed from Lucknow, seven arrested

A Gaya-based doctor and his wife, who were abducted six days ago, were freed on Wednesday from Gomti Nagar in Lucknow. The couple have returned to their home, police said.

Pankaj Gupta and his wife Subhra were abducted last Friday while returning from a wedding in Jharkhand's Giridih district. Pankaj is a well known medical practitioner and belongs to a leading business family of Bihar.

Earlier reports had said that the couple had been freed in Gaya district of Bihar.

Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) P.K Thakur told the media that nine people have been arrested from Lucknow in connection with the abduction of the doctor and his wife. Police have also recovered red and blue beacon lights and police uniforms from them.

They have also found the doctor's new Audi and a Fortuner that was used by the abductors to take them to Uttar Pradesh.

"Nine people involved in the abduction of the doctor and his wife were arrested and more arrests would be made soon," Thakur said.

According to officials at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's office, Nitish had sought the help of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to trace the abducted doctor and his wife after being informed that the couple had been taken to that state and confined in a safe place.

"After Nitish Kumar called Akhilesh Yadav, prompt action by police teams of both the states eventually compelled the abductors to release them," officials said.

Gaya's Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said that Pankaj Gupta and his wife were released by the abductors under tremendous police pressure.

"Yes, it is true that the doctor and his wife have been freed by the abductors, both are safe now. Police will inform about everything soon," Maharaj said, but refused to divulge more details.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Bihar State Health Service Association (BSHSA) had threatened to paralyse medical services in the state if the doctor and his wife were not traced soon.