Cops rescue kidnapped businessman; residents demand his arrest for usury

Mangaluru, Sep 4: Within an hour after Vittla police in Bantwal taluk rescued a kidnapped businessman and arrested two suspects, dozens of villagers staged a protest demanding the arrest of the victim accusing him of lending money at exorbitant rate of interest.

Kishori, a resident of Vittla, reported the kidnapping of her husband Anand (40) from a temple in Shivamogga on August 30.

She told the police of receiving call from the kidnappers seeking ransom of Rs. 8 lakh. A police team traced the accused and rescued Anand from a house in Chokkabettu in Surathkal on Friday. The police arrested Ganesh and Rajesh, both 35.

Then, the police found that Anand was allegedly involved in illegally lending money to people in the locality.

When he was brought to Vitla police station, nearly 60 residents came and complained of Anand collecting money from people by promising to double the investment in one year.

Superintendent of Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase said the police have registered the complaint under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code.

Anand has also been accused of under provisions of Karnataka Money Laundering Act 1961 and Karnataka Prevention of Charing Exorbitant Interest Act 2004. “We are going deep into his transactions,” he said.