Cyberabad police have arrested five members of a gang who kidnapped a 34-year-old software engineer and demanded ransom from his family. The engineer was kidnapped by the gang on January 4 in Khajaguda, where he had gone after being called by a female cousin. The arrested individuals are Gunjapogu Suresh alias Surya, B Venkata Krishna, Gurram Nikhita, Ramagila Raju, and Shinde Rohith. Two others, Chandul and Venkat, are still on the run. The police have seized two cars, two bikes, and seven mobile phones from the gang. Suresh, the leader of the gang, has a criminal record with 22 cases of theft, robbery, and kidnapping for ransom.
Suresh planned to kidnap a wealthy person to make a large sum of money. He discussed his plan with Krishna and Nikhita, who suggested kidnapping her cousin Surender because he had recently bought a house and had money. Suresh and the others attempted to kidnap Surender multiple times but failed. Eventually, Suresh asked Nikhita to help by luring Surender to a secluded place. She called Surender and asked him to meet her at Khajaguda Lake under the pretense of discussing personal matters. The gang then kidnapped him.
Nikhita went to the police station and filed a complaint about Surender’s kidnapping. She pretended to assist the family and the police. Meanwhile, Suresh contacted Surender’s family and demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore for his release. Special police teams located Surender in Kadthal, Rangareddy district, and informed the local police there. When the gang realized they were being pursued, they abandoned Surender and fled.
The police eventually apprehended Suresh and brought him back to the city. During questioning, he revealed the involvement of others, including Nikhita. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and efforts are underway to apprehend the two remaining suspects who are currently at large.
