The swift action of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport police helped rescue a Bhopal-based businessman within three hours of a complaint about his kidnapping.

According to police sources, Prem Singh Solanki, who runs an antique business, was allegedly lured to Kolkata on the pretext of selling his products.

After he landed at Kolkata airport on September 24, the accused asked him to go to their office in Basirhat. When Solanki reached the place, he didn’t find anyone and felt something was amiss. On his way back, four-five unidentified persons stopped his car midway, dragged him out and took him to an unknown location, police sources said, adding that the accused made a ransom call to his family, demanding Rs 20 lakh.

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Without wasting any time, his son Rohit flew to Kolkata and lodged a complaint at the NSCBI police station. Shortly after, police launched an investigation and started tracking the mobile towers of the kidnappers and Solanki.

Meanwhile, the police asked Solanki’s son to agree to the ransom and ask for a location for making the payment. The kidnappers asked him to meet them at a specific place on VIP Road, police sources said.

As soon as the kidnappers reached the place, police caught three accused and rescued Solanki. The police have also seized a white SUV used in the kidnapping.

According to police sources, two of them have claimed to have been former officials of the Customs Department. The police are also conducting a thorough investigation to find out if they are a part of an inter-state racket.

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“We live in Bhopal and I got a call from my father’s mobile that he requires Rs 20 lakh. At first I thought it was fine but when I called back 2 minutes later, I sensed something was off. After that I got ransom calls,” Rohit said.

“I immediately flew to Kolkata and informed the police and within three hours they rescued my father. I am very thankful to them for their prompt action,” he added.