The sensational kidnapping of a trader in Ferozabad took an interesting turn when the victim reportedly appeared on his own in Panipat district on Friday. Though the STF yet to confirm about the above, but sources said that following the pressure of the cops, Gupta, who left for Kashmir later sent Whatsapp message and SMS, just to claim himself abducted demanding Rs 100 crore for his release.
It may be mentioned that The Pioneer already mentioned that the victim orchestrated his own `abduction’ just to avert action by some of his own business colleagues who had a huge dues pending with the victim. He reportedly took several crore from his business friends and was now avoiding to return the money.
Sources said that soon after his disappearance, Gupta reached Srinagar and enjoyed his stay in Kashmir, leaving the UP police tracking his whereabouts. However, after he learnt that his sinister plan of `abduction for ransom’ has been exposed and that STF is trailing him, Gupta suddenly appeared in Panipat on Friday. Sources said a team of STF and Ferojabad police left for Panipat to grill the buinessman and learnt the facts behind his abduction drama.
It may be mentioned that Sanjeev Gupta, a leading glass merchant and also owning resturants chain in Ferojabad, went missing since he left after taking lunch in Sagar Resturant in Tundla locality of Ferojabad on last Saturday. The family members launched a hunt but failed. late on Saturday night, the family members claimed to have received two messages as well as same number of SMS from Sanjeev’s mobile through which the kidnappers claimed that if they wanted Sanjeev alive, than they must prepare a ransom of Rs 100 crore. Subsequently, on Sunday morning, Sanjeev’s kin Vikalp Gupta, reported the matter to the senior police officers. On Sunday night, another SMS and Whatsapp message came from Sanjeev’s mobile through which the kidnappers asked the family members to reach Agra with the money they managed to arrange so far. The kidnappers also warned that if they tried to play smart by informing police then Sanjeev’s life would be at risk.