A tainted police inspector who was arrested earlier on charges of looting hawala money on a highway was held again on Thursday, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Tirupur businessman.
The Times of India reported that a gang kidnapped 46-year-old Arumugam in July this year. They harassed him and demanded a ransom, but abandoned him when they couldn't extort money from him.
The report adds that it has since come to light that former K Paramathi police station inspector Muthukumar had led the gang.
The businessman who runs a dyeing unit in Tirupur was kidnapped by four gang members, including two people in police uniform.
The New Indian Express reported that the businessman was parking his car near his shop when the group asked him to board a police jeep. Only a little later did Arumugam realise that he was being kidnapped.
Reports add that he was taken to Salem, where he was beaten and his mobile was stolen, before they abandoned him near a toll gate.
Arumugam then filed a complaint, following which an investigation began.
A subsequent probe revealed that the tainted police officers were involved in the kidnap.
In August, the policemen 'gang' had intercepted a car on the Neelambur Bypass Road under the pretext of a vehicle check and carried out a detailed robbery.
Reports add that the three cops took away a good share of the Rs 3.9 crore loot, after giving away a portion to ‘Hawala kingpin’ Sridhar.
They were arrested in September.
All the accused are presently lodged in the Coimbatore central prison.