Girl rescued from kidnappers, 3 held

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 28. In a swift action, the 16-year-old girl abducted from Jubilee Hills here on Tuesday morning was rescued from the clutches of the kidnappers and restored to her parents by the Zahirabad police on Wednesday morning. Three persons were arrested and the Maruti Esteem used in the offense was seized along with a scooter by the police.

The hunt is on for four or more persons suspected to be involved in the sensational kidnap, which forced the Home Minister, Mr. T. Devender Goud, to rush to the victim's house and later announce a reward of Rs. 1 lakh for any information providing a breakthrough in the case.

Announcing the arrests at a press conference here on Wednesday, the Additional Commissioner of Police, Mr. K. Aravinda Rao, said Mr. S. Mohan Reddy, Sub-Inspector of Zahirabad police station, got information about a white Esteem hidden under dried Maize stalks on the outskirts of Zahirabad town. Mr. Reddy, who rushed there, found the car and one of the alleged kidnappers, Mohd. Majeed.

During interrogation, Majeed confessed to his involvement in the crime and led the police team to a dilapidated house in the town where his accomplice Syed Akbar Hussain was sleeping on the terrace. The kidnapped girl, Sumedha, was found inside the house. Mr. Aravinda Rao said four or more persons were involved in the kidnap and they appeared to be in the know of patterns of organised crime. Asked to elaborate on the observation, he said that the kidnappers demanded payment of Rs. 5 crores through hawala racket. This led to suspicion that they could have knowledge of organised crime.

The Additional Commissioner refused to divulge details of the absconding persons pleading that investigation could be hampered if more details were given. Special teams have been formed to nab the other accomplices.

Going by the confession of the three arrested, they kept a watch on the house of the girl for at least two days and after the kidnap, one of them was following the car on a scooter obviously looking out for any police vehicle trying to chase the vehicle. The white Maruti was fixed with a fictitious number plate once it left Hyderabad. Police say they are yet to trace its owner.

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Section  : Southern States
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