Kidnapped UAE-based Kerala businessman rescued
IN a dramatic turn of events, Kerala Police have successfully rescued VP Shameer, a UAE-based Indian expat businessman, who was kidnapped on Tuesday night while vacationing in his hometown in the south Indian state.
The shocking abduction has culminated in the arrest of five individuals in connection with the Rs 10.5 million ransom plot, according to initial reports.
Speaking to Gulf News, Riyaz Kilton, Chairman of the International Promoters Association (IPA), a leading business network of Keralites in the UAE of which Shameer is a member, confirmed the rescue.
“I just spoke to his wife, and I was told that his family has just been informed by the police about finding him safely,” Kilton said over the phone from New Delhi, where he is currently travelling.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive and possible connections behind the kidnapping.
Where was he?
According to reports emerging on Malayalam TV channels, Shameer was found in Kollam district, approximately 300km from Pandikkad in Malappuram district, where he was abducted.
While the police have nabbed five people, two of the gang members managed to flee.
Shameer, who runs a Sharjah-headquartered pharmacy chain and operates several other businesses in the UAE, had returned to Kerala for a short 10-day visit.
CCTV footage had captured the chilling moment he was abducted near his hometown. The visuals showed him being forcibly pulled into a waiting Toyota Innova while riding a motorcycle after visiting a friend.
Shameer’s business partner in the UAE reportedly received a ransom call on Wednesday morning from Shameer’s mobile phone.
The kidnappers demanded Rs 10.5 million and also contacted Shameer’s wife, threatening her with dire consequences if the family involved the police. Despite the threats, Kerala Police launched a swift investigation that led to the safe recovery of Shameer.
It was reported that tracking the caller was difficult for the police, as the calls were made over the internet. However, the police reportedly identified the abductors after interrogating the owner of the vehicle used in the crime.
