The sensational kidnapping of Alstom India head Rathin Basu is not the only case of its kind; there have been a number of such daring attempts that have put the Noida Police in the dock. Though quick recovery of the hostage this time gave the police a reason to pat its back, the fact remains that corporate honchos are at risk in Noida.
Memories of the kidnapping of the son of Adobe’s CEO are still fresh in the minds of most Noida residents. Anant, son Naresh Chandra Gupta, was kidnapped in Noida in 2006 some 150 metres from his residence. The kidnappers had demanded Rs 60 lakh as ransom but were nabbed in Mathura. Three accused, all known to the victim’s family, were sentenced by Ghaziabad court this year.
In October 2009, Shankar Dutt, chief security officer of a Greater Noida CEO, was abducted when he was coming home to Noida. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh but were arrested later.
In another high-profile case, Saurabh Jain, promoter of three electrical appliances and garment companies in Noida and Greater Noida, was kidnapped and rescued after paying ransom of Rs 1 crore.
Another businessman, Kapil Gupta, was kidnapped from Sector 6 for a ransom of Rs 5 crore. Police arrested the kidnappers from Agra later and recovered Rs 3.25 crore of the ransom.
Similarly, Petroleum Conservation Research Association joint managing director Satinder Narain Singh was kidnapped from his residence in Greater Noida in June 2012. Against a demand of Rs 1 crore, the victim’s wife approached kidnappers with Rs 16 lakh while the police laid a trap. They also rescued the victim.