Mangalore: Ravi Poojary Aide Arrested for Kidnap Bid on Mulky Businessman
Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Nov 22: Police on Thursday November 22 arrested an aide of underworld don Ravi Poojary in connection with the kidnap bid on Mulky-based businessman Cyprian D'Souza.
More than a month after the incident took place on October 12, Mulky police arrested Chittaranjan Shetty alias Chittu (35), resident of Pandit House in Thokkottu and accused in the case, from Thokkottu junction.
On October 12, Cyprian D’Souza, a timber merchant and real estate businessman was returning home after dropping his children to school, when four kidnappers in a Maruti Omni waylaid his Scorpio near his house. They got into the car and threatened him at gunpoint.
Cyprian's presence of mind and courage had saved him from the clutches of the kidnappers. Despite having a gun pointed at his head, he opened the car door and made a run for it, shouting for help at the same time. As locals began to gather, the kidnappers fled the spot in their car. Cyprian was injured on his leg in the incident.
It was speculated that Ravi Poojary's gang might have carried out the kidnap bid, as Cyprian had reportedly received threat calls from someone claiming to be Poojary's aide. In fact, a day after the incident, Cyprian received a call in Ravi Poojary's name demanding Rs 2 crore. Also, in 2010, there was another call demanding Rs 50 lac. Complaints about both the calls were lodged in Mulky police station.
On interrogation by the police, Chittaranjan admitted that he along with three others had carried out the kidnap bid on instructions from Ravi Poojary, who stays abroad. He also revealed that Munchooru Sachu alias Subramanya, Bharatesh alias Bharat of Bengre, and the driver of their Maruthi Omni, whose identity is yet to be known, were involved in the incident. Among them, Subramanya is already under judicial custody for a case filed in Bunder police station.
Chittaranjan is also an accused in a case filed in Konaje police station and two with Ullal police. He is also wanted in a cheque bounce case. Bharatesh of Bengre is an accused in several murder and assault cases filed in Barke, Urwa and Panambur police stations.
Following the arrest, Chittaranjan was produced in the Moodbidri court.