Gang abducts and robs pepper merchant of Rs 11 lakh

A four-member gang abducted a pepper merchant and looted Rs 11 lakh from him at Annur, about 30 KMs from here, in the wee hours of today.

70-year old Bhaskaran belonging to Gudalur in Nilgiris district was returning with money after selling pepper in Theni, when the gang, way laid his mini lorry, dragged him out and looted the money, at Annur-Mettupalayam Road, police said.

Bhaskaran was then taken into the car, after tying his eyes, and later he was pushed down at some distance, they said.