Karkala: Kidnapped Leo Pereira Released – Mystery Remains Unresolved
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (SP)
Karkala, Mar 24: The drama behind the kidnap of real estate businessman, Leo Pereira (51), from Miyar in the taluk ended on a happy note, after Leo reached his home unscathed at about 5 am on Wednesday March 24.
Daijiworld spoke to Leo over phone, but he was not in a position to give any information. It is said that four abductors, who spoke Tulu, intercepted him near the Attur arch at around 5.30 pm on Monday March 22, and took him via Kuntady Road and Ranganapalke in his car. They filled petrol to the car in Padubidri and reached Shimoga via Hiriyadka and Agumbe. He was taken a farm where there were no houses, and where he was kept in the car itself till he was released. When some of the locals approached the abductors and questioned them about Leo, they told them that Leo has to pay them money. The gang behaved well with Leo, and did not give him any trouble. They reportedly told Leo that they had nothing against him, that they were not professional kidnappers, and also that they were working under the instructions of a third party.
Surprisingly, through their conversations, Leo could gather that they were getting up-to-date information on what was happening at his home. This is a riddle the policemen have to solve now. The abductors said before his release at about 10.30 pm on Tuesday, that they were sorry for having troubled him.
At the time he was released, one of the abductors escorted him to a point in Shimoga, before returning. Leo’s cell phone and sim card had been thrown away by them. So, Leo called his family over phone to tell them about his release. This was conveyed to his friends and policemen, who were already in Shimoga, after getting the cue that Leo was there. The friends picked him from that point, took him to the house of a relative in Shimoga, and brought him back thereafter. Leo has said that he could not identify any of the kidnappers, as all of them were strangers.
The policemen have expressed the confidence of nabbing the culprits soon.
Initially, it was suspected that a three-member gang, which had approached him in the guise of prospective buyers, would have kidnapped him. The kidnap had sent shock waves in the taluk, as Leo, who initially did catering business in the name of ‘Konkan Caterers’ before switching over to land dealings, was clean in his dealings and his image has been that of a gentleman with high values and truthfulness, having no enemies. He has always been liked by the people because of his simplicity and decent behaviour.
Unconfirmed reports said that on Tuesday, the gang members had called the family with instructions to keep cash amounting to Rs 25 lac in cash ready as ransom, for releasing Leo. The calls were made from Leo’s phone, and the gang cut the call every time, after making the said demand, and saying that people will approach the family to collect the ransom. In five or six calls so received, the gang members reportedly kept changing the spot where cash was to be brought.
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