Chennai Travel Agency Owner Arrested for Kidnapping Car Dealer in Stolen Vehicle Dispute
In a dramatic turn of events in Chennai, a travel agency owner was arrested on Monday on serious charges of kidnapping a car dealer. The incident stemmed from a transaction involving a stolen SUV, leading to a swift police response that resulted in the dealer's rescue within hours.
Details of the Fraudulent Vehicle Sale
According to police reports, the case began when Saravanan, a 52-year-old resident of Nolambur, sold an SUV to Manikandan, who owns a travel agency in Tiruvallur. The agreed price for the vehicle was 9 lakh rupees, with Manikandan paying an advance of 3 lakh rupees.
The situation unraveled during the registration process when officials discovered another vehicle bearing the same registration number. A subsequent investigation revealed that the SUV was stolen property, with its engine and chassis numbers having been illegally altered to conceal its origins.
From Complaint to Kidnapping
Upon learning the vehicle was stolen, Manikandan filed a formal complaint with the Tiruvallur police. Fearing legal consequences, Saravanan went into hiding to avoid arrest. However, Manikandan took matters into his own hands by tracking down Saravanan and allegedly abducting him.
At the time of the kidnapping, Saravanan was accompanied by his wife, Umadevi, who immediately reported the incident to the JJ Nagar police station. Her prompt complaint triggered a rapid police investigation into the abduction.
Police Action and Arrest
The JJ Nagar police acted swiftly, locating and rescuing Saravanan within hours of his abduction. Authorities then arrested Manikandan on kidnapping charges. Police are currently searching for four associates believed to have been involved in the kidnapping plot.
This case highlights the dangers of taking the law into one's own hands, even when one has been victimized by fraud. While Manikandan was initially wronged in the vehicle transaction, his decision to kidnap Saravanan has now made him the subject of criminal proceedings.
The investigation continues as police work to apprehend all individuals involved in both the stolen vehicle scheme and the subsequent kidnapping incident.
