Gujarat trader's abduction: Probe into JD-U leader's alleged role

Bihar Police's Criminal Investigation Department Friday began a probe into the alleged role of a ruling Janata Dal-United leader in the abduction of a Gujarat-based businessman, released after paying Rs.9 crore in ransom.

Police have already arrested Ranjit Singh, another accused in the case.

"A CID team visited Ranjit's village Chaturpur in Saran district Friday and began the probe," Saran Superintendent of Police Varun Kumar said.

Varun said a case (FIR) was lodged in the Nayagaon police station against Ranjit, his three brothers and father, Nagmani Singh, following a directive from the police headquarters.

"Ranjit, his brothers and father were made accused for their involvement in abduction and hiding the victim," he said.

According to Varun, the CID has set up a special team for the probe to be monitored by ADG (CID) A.K. Upadhayay.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Thursday asked DGP Abhyanand to probe the alleged role of a JD-U leader, whose identity is not yet known, in the abduction of the Gujarat-based businessman.

Nitish Kumar said the government will not spare any one, howsoever powerful and influential they may be, if found involved in the case. He was reacting to reports on TV news channels that a JD-U leader close to him was involved.

According to police officials, Surat-based textile businessman Sohel Hingora, 21, the son of textile industrialist Hanif Hingora, was abducted Oct 29 from near his industrial unit at Dharampur village in Daman and taken to Bihar where he was kept in Saran and Patna districts by his armed abductors.

Hanif charged a JD-U leader, police officers and a professional gang from Bihar of involvement in the incident.

"Police officers from Bihar, along with a professional gang, kidnapped my son. We have also come to know that some politicians from Bihar were involved," he alleged.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress targeted Nitish Kumar and his party JD-U after the case came to light early this week.