The police arrested seven persons, including a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national leader, for trying to allegedly kidnap an NRI businessman at Kodur, near here, on Tuesday.
BJP Minority Morcha secretary Aslam Gurukkal was arrested along with his gunman and five others when they tried to forcibly enter the house of philanthropist and NRI businessman K.T. Rabeeullah.
The police recovered two guns from the seven-member gang who came from Mangaluru.
The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court here remanded them in judicial custody. Gurukkal said he was framed, and would seek bail on Wednesday. The police said they would also seek the custody of the accused.
The gang was arrested on the basis of a complaint of trespass and attempted kidnap filed by Mr. Rabeeullah’s wife.
Gurukkal and team, who reached Mr. Rabeeullah’s house in three vehicles, tried to break into the compound when stopped by the security guard. A clash ensued when the local people intervened.
Gurukkal and three others escaped in two cars while the remaining members of the gang were detained and their vehicle was attacked by the people. The police later arrested Gurukkal and team from Kozhikode.
Apart from the BJP leader, those arrested were Riyas, Arshad, Usman, Ramesh, Sunil Kumar, and Kesava Murthy. Murthy is a Karnataka police officer.
The police said Gurukkal and team had some business connections with Mr. Rabeeullah. Gurukkal said the NRI businessman had been detained in his house by his relatives. The police refused to comment on it.