Chennai, Aug 1 (IANS): Seven people were arrested for kidnapping a person who was a driver-cum-agent of a financial firm which is involved in several "fraudulent activities" in Chennai.

Police said that A. Senthilkumar, resident of Ariyalur district, was working as a driver in Aminjirakarai branch, Chennai of Aarudhra financiers. He also used to collect money for the company on a commission basis.

According to local police, on July 28 when Senthilkumar was walking through the Seemathaman Nagar in Koyambedu, a group of people kidnapped him and bundled him into a car.

After that his mother received a call for ransom of Rs 15 lakh.

Senthilkumar had lured some people into investing in the company that has entered into several legal tangles now.

Senthilkumar’s mother, fearing for his life, immediately transferred Rs 1 lakh into the account of the accused. After the money was transferred, he was dropped at Porur gate.

The police swung into action after Senthilkumar’s family lodged a complaint.

The arrested were identified as V. Ajithkumar (28), M. Manikandan (25), R. Balaji (28), S. Saravanan (27), G Vingesh (26) ,C. Siva(24) and K. Selvam (38). According to the police, three of the arrested, Selvam, Vignesh and Manikantan have invested money to the tune of Rs 15 lakh and this is considered the reason behind the kidnapping.