The ponzi scheme saga reached a new height on Friday when a chit fund company owner was allegedly kidnapped by a group of disgruntled agents in a filmy style in Kolkata. Mohammed Mushtakim, 33, the managing director (MD) of Gem Dream Company Ltd in Murshidabad, was, however, rescued by the police soon after his abduction.
Accused in a case under Sections 417 and 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of the trust) of the Indian Penal Code at the Ranitala police station for his alleged default in payment to the tune of `2 crores to his depositors, Mr Mushtakim took shelter at the house of Debu Kali at Nabapally in Garia with a monthly rent of `6,000 for the last three months but did not pay the rent, the police said.
According to the police, in face of the depositors’ threats, the 10 agents learnt of the MD’s presence in Kolkata and travelled to the city in a Tata Sumo. They planned to abduct and take him to the district. The group lured a trap inviting Mr Mushtakim for a meeting at around 6.10 am and abducted him at E.M. Bypass in front of Hiland Park complex, preliminary investigations revealed.
A group of morning walkers who came across the abduction informed the Pragati Maidan police. Soon, all the police stations and traffic were alerted from the Lalbazar. A traffic police’s team intercepted the Tata Sumo near the Science City.
The 10 agents — Mohammed Naseeruddin, Selim Sheikh, Milon Sheikh, Apurba Kumar Shil and five others — were found with Mr Mustakim inside the vehicle.
The agents were arrested on abduction charge and were remanded in police custody by the court. The vehicle with Murshidabad number plate was also seized. The police also informed the Murshidabad police about the incident. “A district police team has come to take away the MD to the district,” an officer said.