Nagpur: In a shocking incident, three individuals, including two Beat Marshals from Bajaj Nagar Police Station, were arrested by Hudkeshwar Police for kidnapping a businessman and demanding a ransom of Rs 15 lakh to prevent his arrest in an alleged fraud case.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Gaurav Purushottam Parale (30), a resident of Raghuji Nagar; Rajesh Uttamrao Hiwrale (30), residing in the Sitabuldi Police Quarters; and Akash Raju Gwalbanshi (30) from Hudkeshwar. A fourth suspect, Vikrant Meshram from Umred, is currently absconding.
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The case came to light after a complaint was lodged by Ajay Motiram Waghmare (37), a businessman from Kharghar, Mumbai, who owns IBN Flipcorp Trade Company, involved in land deals and the import and export of grains. Waghmare was in Nagpur on Sunday to meet potential clients at Celebration Queen’s Lawn on Hudkeshwar Road when the incident occurred.
According to the police, Waghmare, along with his colleagues Dilip Shinde and Giridhar Nikhare, was approached by Beat Marshal Gaurav Parale while sitting in their vehicle. Parale, in police uniform, questioned them and directed Waghmare to accompany him under the pretext of a police inquiry. Waghmare was taken to a nearby vehicle, where Rajesh Hiwarale and Akash Gwalbanshi were waiting.
The officers, under the guise of taking him to the police station, confiscated Waghmare’s mobile phones and wallet. When Waghmare inquired about the arrest, they falsely accused him of being involved in a Rs 20 crore scam. The kidnappers threatened to fabricate evidence and press charges unless he paid Rs 15 lakh.
The kidnappers then switched off their mobile phones and took Waghmare to multiple locations, continuing their threats. Waghmare, fearing for his safety, agreed to pay the ransom and requested to call his colleague. Rajesh Hiwarale then contacted Dilip Shinde and instructed him to arrange for the ransom.
Shinde, instead of complying, alerted his colleague Zode, who informed the police. Senior Police Inspector Dhnyaneshwar Bhedokar, under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Rashmita Rao and Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinayak Kote, launched an investigation. The police tracked the kidnappers to Hotel Radisson Blu on Wardha Road, where Waghmare was rescued.
A case was registered against all four accused, and those arrested have been remanded to police custody for two days. Authorities are still searching for the absconding suspect, Vikrant Meshram.
