The Kochi police on Friday arrested three members of a gang and one person who had hired them, for threatening two businessmen in the city.
The arrested were identified as Riyas Rahman (35) of Panampilly Nagar, Siyad (40) of SRM road and Syed Mohammed (49) of Mattanchery and Riyas.
The gang was held on the basis of complaint registered by Aravind R. Ajay of Thiruvananthapuram and Majo Sebastian.
According to police, Aravind and Majo are running an interior decoration company near Padma junction. “Riyas approached Aravind and Majo and entrusted them with the interior work of his building at Menaka.
The duo did the work at a cost of Rs 7.5 lakh. However, Riyas did not pay Aravind and also resold the decoration materials to a third party,” said Ananthalal, the sub inspector of central police station.
When Aravind and Majo sought the payment, Riyas hired the services of a gang. “Riyas along with the goondas threatened the duo that they would be hacked to death if they ask for the money again,” the officer said.
Vettil Suresh, another member of the gang is still absconding. The police said all the arrested have criminal backgrounds.