One of the kidnappers arrested, three still at large

Chencho Dema

A 35-year-old Bhutanese businessman was abducted by four unidentified men on the evening of September 25 near Star Cinema Hall on M.G. Road in Jaigaon, India.

The incident happened at 7pm.

In an interview with Kuensel, the victim said he had travelled to Jaigaon to return some items.

As he opened his car door, a boy slipped into the vehicle, and suddenly, four men appeared out of nowhere, shouting and asking what was going on.

“Then they started accusing me and the boy of being drug dealers. They claimed to be police officers and said they would take me to Alipur. I was shocked and did not know what to do. They did not let me contact anyone. I knew I was trapped,” he said.

The four suspects had spent the past four days studying the victim and his background before carrying out the kidnapping.

The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, said the suspects allowed him to call a friend and initially demanded Nu 1 million in ransom. However, after negotiations, the amount was reduced to Nu 400,000.

“One of the suspects then drove the car through unfamiliar routes to an unknown location. They called my friend again, instructing him to come to Mela Ground. By that time, my friend had already informed the Jaigaon police about the incident,” he said.

The victim’s friend, along with Jaigaon police in plain clothes, arrived at the designated location. However, 31-year-old suspect Samuel Subba identified the police and quickly alerted his accomplices.

Upon realising the police were present, the other three suspects fled the scene, leaving the victim behind. The victim then managed to inform his friend of his location and was eventually rescued.

Speaking to Kuensel, Officer-in-Charge of Jaigaon police Station, Palzer Tshering Bhutia, said, “One of the victim’s friends was called and was told about his friend being kidnapped. Then he was asked to come to Gopi Mohan Mela ground. We tagged ourselves with him.”

He said that the kidnapper provided a description of his clothing—a checkered shirt—to assist the victim’s friend in identifying him. However, initial searches at the Mela Ground did not yield results as the person did not show up.

Shortly after, the victim’s friend received call from his friend directing him toward the Fire Brigade area in Ramgaon. Two police personnel got into the victim’s vehicle and followed the directions provided by the kidnapper.

After driving approximately 500 metres, they spotted an individual in a checkered shirt heading towards the Fire Brigade and the police apprehended him.

During interrogation, Samuel Subba disclosed the location of the kidnapped victim, allowing police to successfully rescue him.

Authorities have confirmed that a case of kidnapping for ransom has been filed. The arrested suspect revealed the names of his accomplices—Norbu Lama, 42; Sagar Lama, 38; and Shiva Chhetri, 35—who remain at large.

All suspects are reportedly unemployed and known for their criminal behaviour.