Gudalur police have rescued a priest from Kerala and arrested seven persons. The gang demanded Rs. 15 lakh from the victim’s family.
The incident came to light after the victim’s brother-in-law Alexander George (52) lodged a complaint with the police on Tuesday.
DSP R. Sreenivasalu said Joseph George visited Gudalur on May 27.
The next evening his family received a call from a person who was later identified as Asai Thambi, the prime accused in the abduction.
According to the police, Alexander and his friends Joseph Bose and Appu were waiting with money when Asai Thambi contacted them on the victim’s mobile and changed the place four times before asking them to come to Gudalur bus stand.
Two special teams that were formed to solve the case cornered Asai Thambi at the Devarshola Bazaar on Tuesday night.
“His accomplices were preparing to launch an attack on the police, when they were all caught. We came to know that Joseph George was detained in a house and rescued him,” the DSP said.
Crime history
According to the police, Asai Thambi was wanted by Tenkasi police in Tirunelveli district for a murder case, and was also booked by Devala police for rioting, murder and attempt to murder, Sivagangai Town police for murder and by Kancheepuram Taluk Police for dacoity.
