KATHMANDU, April 25: A joint operation of Nepal Police and the Indian Shashastra Seema Bal (SSB, border security force) on Wednesday rescued a Nepali furniture entrepreneur from the border Indian city of Rupaidiha in Utter Pradesh state, from kidnappers who abducted him early this month.
According to Senior Suprentendent of Police (SSP) Devendra Subedi, the kidnappers had held Suresh Maharjan, a resident of Satungal, Kathmandu, in a small house at Nanpur locality in Rupaidiha, which is seven kilometers south of Nepalgunj in Nepal.
"He has been rescued unharmed but details of his physical condition will be known once he is brought to Kathmandu," said Subedi, head of Metropolitan Police Crime Divison, adding that Maharjan was being brought to Kathmandu Wednesday night.
According to police, Maharjan´s whereabouts were unknown ever since he left home on holiday on April 1. The family came to know of the kidnap only when the abductors called to demand a ransom of Rs 30 million on April 8.
“The kidnappers called more than three times, using both Indian and Nepali SIM cards, exerting pressure on the Maharjan family to cough up the ransom money," said Subedi.
Police further said that Maharjan´s friend Ganesh Sharma had accompanied him during his "holiday." Maharjan had told his family that he and Sharma, also a Nepali, were going to Butwal and they might visit India also.
Police suspect that Sharma might be the mastermind behind the abduction. Sharma is at large though police have arrested four other suspects, including an Indian.
Those arrested for alleged involvement in the kidnap are Ishwor Dahal, Buddha Tamang, Milan Sanjali and Indian national Binod Yadav.
Initial investigation by police has revealed that Dahal and Sinjali are former Maoist combatants who were disqualified by UNMIN.
The arrestees were being brought to Hanumandhoka for further investigations Wednesday night.
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