Haryana: 3 held after exchange of fire in kidnapping case

Three of the four kidnappers have been arrested by Haryana Police, while two of them also sustained bullet injuries during the exchange of fire

Panipat police on Monday claimed to have rescued a 27-year-old man from his kidnappers after an exchange of fire in Panipat district. The abductors had demanded ₹80 lakh in ransom.

Panipat police on Monday claimed to have rescued a 27-year-old man from his kidnappers after an exchange of fire in Panipat district. The abductors had demanded ₹80 lakh in ransom. (Image for representational purpose)

Three of the four kidnappers have been arrested, while two of them also sustained bullet injuries.

According to Panipat superintendent of police Shashank Kumar Sawan, Neeraj Saini, owner of a grocery shop and resident of Saini Colony in Panipat, was on May 21 kidnapped by at least four persons when he was on his way back home.

The SP said that after the registration of an FIR, the investigation was handed over to the crime investigation agency (CIA) of the district police. In the meantime, the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded ₹80 lakh for his release.

The investigators came to know that the victim was held hostage in some fields and following a tip-off, a police team reached the spot on Monday morning, he added.

After noticing the police, the accused started firing and tried to flee from the spot. Two kidnappers were shot in legs in retaliatory fire and the victim was rescued.

The accused have been identified as Saurabh, Neeraj, Ankur and Parveen of Muzaffarnagar. Saurabh and Neeraj have been admitted to PGIMS Rohtak.

Ankur is at large, the police said.