Two arrested for kidnapping K'tka based trader

A Karnataka-based trader was called to Rajasthan by a gang using a fake profile of a girl on a social media platform following which the unsuspecting man was kidnapped and released only after a ransom of Rs 5 lakh was paid, police said here today.

The police claimed to have unravelled the plot after arresting two men, Mangi Lal Bishnoi (22) and his aide Subhash Bishnoi, yesterday night following a complaint lodged by the alleged victim at the Dhorimanna police station in Barmer district, they said.

Vasant Kumar Jain of Bellary in Karnataka, had befriended a girl 'Pooja' on a social media platform nearly a month ago and the accused through that fake profile called him to Dhorimanna in Barmer district on July 7 for a meeting, Deputy SP Ram Niwas Sunda said.

The victim hails Balotara in Barmer district and runs a business in Karnataka, he added.

Jain was kidnapped by 8-10 people after he reached Dhorimanna and robbed of Rs 13,000 cash, the official said. Later, they demanded Rs 5 lakh as ransom for his release, he added.

The victim somehow arranged the ransom money through a relative after which the accused released him on July 8, the DSP said.

The duo was arrested late yesterday night and efforts to arrest the others, he said adding the ransom money was yet to be recovered.

The accused have a past criminal history of loot and theft, DSP Sunda said.