2 detained in Mumbai over robbery of gutkha worth Rs3 lakh

Police had launched a manhunt for four people who allegedly hijacked an Innova car, made its driver chase a tempo and then kidnapped the tempo’s driver as well

Two persons have been detained in connection with the abduction and assault of two drivers and robbing gutkha worth Rs3 lakh from a tempo. The police had launched a manhunt for four people who allegedly hijacked an Innova car, made its driver chase a tempo and then kidnapped the tempo’s driver as well.

Police said the tempo that was carrying the gutkha had been found and search is on to arrest the accused. (REPRESENTATIONAL PHOTO/HT)

The incident took place on May 15 when the quartet barged into an Innova car after threatening and assaulting the driver at JP road in Andheri (West). They then forced Anand Worpe, 35, the driver, to chase a tempo that was travelling ahead of them.Police said that after making the tempo driver stop his vehicle at Vakola flyover in Santacruz (East), two of the four accused got off the car, assaulted the tempo driver and bundled him up in the hijacked Innova car.

The accused brought both the kidnapped men to Andheri (West). Upon reaching JP Road, the accused let Worpe leave in the Innova car. The group took the tempo driver to Amboli where they again assaulted him and fled with the tempo carrying gutkha worth Rs3 lakh.

Worpe said in his statement that the incident occurred in the morning and he had approached the Vakola police station along with the vehicle owner in the evening.

“As per the statement given by the car driver, we have registered a case of kidnapping and robbery against unknown persons on zero FIR. The case was transferred to DN Nagar police station as it occurred in their jurisdiction,” said senior inspector Kailash Avhad of the Vakola police station.

“The tempo was found parked in Amboli area but the consignment of gutkha was missing from the vehicle. We have contacted the tempo driver and will record his statement soon,” said senior inspector Parmeshwar Ganame of DN Nagar police station.

Police have questioned several people and have identified two persons who are suspected to have been involved in the incident. “We have been questioning them to find out more about the incident,” said another officer.