Specs clue leads police to nab abductor

KOLKATA: It was the abductor’s caution that ultimately landed him in the police net. When a group of miscreants abducted 42-year-old insurance agent Animesh Roy from Kulpi, the first thing they did was to confiscate his spectacles. Suffering from severe myopia, Animesh went virtually blind without specs till his release the following day after his family paid the ransom.

The act of confiscating the glasses drew police’s attention as it was suspected that one of the abductors could have known Animesh’s medical condition. This clue finally led to the cracking of the crime and arrest of three.

A person, who introduced himself as Somnath Chatterjee, called up Animesh on January 19 and expressed interest in purchasing a high-value insurance policy. Roy was asked to meet him in Kulpi.

Lured by the prospect of a high-value policy, Animesh reached Kulpi the next morning. After he got off the bus, a youth escorted him to Daulatabad village, where his glasses were taken off and he was locked in a room. The abductors then called his family and demanded Rs 5 lakh in ransom, but finally settled for Rs 1 lakh.

The next day, the victim’s brother and a friend left for the appointed spot with abductors instructing them all the way. They were first told to board a Kakdwip-bound train from Sealdah. On reaching Laksmikantapur, they had to change compartments and finally alight at Kulpi. Following the instruction, they walked along the tracks. After some time, two youths met them and took the ransom amount. Animesh was released thereafter.

During the probe, police found the abductors’ knowledge about Animesh’s high power (-14) intriguing. They felt that someone known to him was involved in the abduction. Working on this lead, police discovered that the victim was known to one Chiranjib Das, also a direct selling agent, who hailed from Sagar in South 24-Paraganas. “The South 24-Parganas connection clinched it,” said an investigator.

Further investigation revealed that Chiranjib had earlier borrowed money from Animesh but never repaid it. This had led to bitterness between the two. Chiranjib and his aides Moloy Das and Seikh Moktar were rounded up by police. It was Chinrajib who had plotted the operation as he knew criminals who are active in Kulpi. The Kulpi-based gang is yet to be arrested.

The act of confiscating the glasses drew police’s attention as it was suspected that the abductor could have known Animesh’s medical condition.

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