Date:14/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/14/stories/2006091413000500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Real estate agent abducted

Staff Reporter

Demand for Rs. 1 crore ransom

HYDERABAD: Three persons abducted a real estate agent when he went for a morning walk in Banjara Hills on Wednesday.

The abductors demanded a ransom of Rs. 1 crore for his release.

Real estate businessman G. Krishnam Raju, (67) came out of his house in Rao and Raju Colony at around 6 a.m along with his pet dog.

He barely walked a few metres when three persons jumped out of a white car and forced him into the vehicle.

A pair of shoe sworn by the victim were found at the spot.

"As the dog barked, I came out and saw the trio forcing the man into the vehicle," labourer Yakamma who witnessed the abduction told the police. She is working at a close-by building under construction.

Apparently jolted , she raised a hue and cry. The abducted man's wife Subbalaxmi recognised the shoes as belonging to her husband.

Even before she could recuperate from shock of her missing husband, the abductors called demanded a ransom of Rs. 1 crore for his release.

She then called up her relatives who alerted the Banjara Hills police.

The abductors called for the second time just when Sub-Inspector Satyanarayana walked into her house.

Mr. Raju had worked as an engineer in Irrigation Department earlier to taking up real estate business.

Police formed special teams to track down the culprits.

They were waiting for the call from the kidnappers when reports last came in.