Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, May 20: Businessman and lawyer Ramachandra Shenoy (47) was kidnapped on the night of Monday May 18 by unknown persons.

It is learnt that Shenoy was at a mineral water factory in Neerachilume at Dharmasthala when he was kidnapped.

His wife Rashmi R Shenoy too had gone to the factory, but she returned home in the evening. The same night, factory manager Avinash called up Rashmi and informed that her husband was nowhere to be seen.

Rashmi along with son Rahul then went to the factory and together with Gajendra, and employee and Avinash, searched for Shenoy. They found Shenoy's footwear near the roadside.

The locals said that they heard someone shouting and noticed a car without number plate speeding towards Ujire. Shenoy did not respond to calls.

It is learnt that for five days prior to the kidnapping, Shenoy stayed in the factory and did not come home.

Rashmi said that her husband had some financial dispute with one Valerian Crasta of Chikkamagaluru. About four years ago, Shenoy had taken a loan of Rs 70 lac from Crasta and was paying him interest on it thereafter. When it became difficult for Shenoy to pay him, there were talks about giving a property in Ujire, Rashmi said.

Meanwhile, Shenoy received death threats from Dinesh Shetty, an accused in a murder case. However, Shenoy ignored the threats even though the calls continued for about six months. In the meantime, Valerian Crasta passed away and his wife Philomena reportedly put pressure on Shenoy to pay back the loan. Rashmi in her complaint to police expressed suspicions that Philomena might be behind Shenoy's kidnapping.

Beltangady police have registered a case.