Patna, April 2: Two days into office and the new director-general of police, Narayan Mishra, whose top priority was to make Patna crime-free, learnt what he was up against as a prominent industrialist was kidnapped with ease while he on his way to a morning round of golf today.
Surendra Mohan Sahay, 71, whose family owns an auto parts industry at the Patliputra Industrial Estate, was shoved inside a Maruti car after the kidnappers overtook his Santro. They soon sped off with the industrialist to an unknown destination.
Sahay, driving to the golf course from his house in Patliputra Colony around 6 am, was about to stop like all days at his brother G.M. Sahay’s house to pick him up.
Police said it was just then that Sahay’s car was overtaken and he was forced to get inside the Maruti. The industrialist was an old friend of Patna inspector-general of police A.C. Verma, who was also a golf partner of the industrialist.
Some passers-by, who witnessed the incident on the main road, informed a nearby police patrol about it. Sahay’s family also passed on the information to IG Verma around 7.15 am.
But in the process, some 40 minutes were lost, giving the kidnappers enough time to escape with the industrialist, who was in a pair of shorts and a blue T-shirt.
The kidnappers are yet to contact the family though senior police superintendent N.H. Khan said, “Money seems to be the motive behind the crime.” Family sources said Sahay had left his mobile phone at home. Usually, kidnappers make first calls to the families by using the cell phone of the abducted person.
Sahay is the son of a former Patna High Court judge, late Kamala Sahay.
The problem for the police in the present case has become more complicated because the kingpins of the major kidnap gangs, including Suleiman, Sultan, Bhushan and Durgesh, are behind bars.
Only Chotka Santosh, another notorious kidnapper, is absconding.
Police sources said the modus operandi of the kidnappers today was the same as in most other such cases.
“The make of the car used by the kidnappers throws some light on the identity of the criminals but a Maruti-800 is rarely used,” they added.
The kidnap comes at a time when the state government hs to send regular reports to the Election Commission on the law and order situation.
The police chief has also said he was committed to ensuring peaceful polling.
Despite being hit in the face, the city police today embarked upon a scheme of “motorcycle patrol march” of its officials in the capital to “instill confidence” among the voters. But the kidnapping assumed immediate political overtones with BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Ravishankar Prasad calling it an example of the worsening law and order situation in Bihar.
Sources said the registration number used by the Maruti car -- DL 1 C 4001 -- too was found to be fake on “confirmation” from the Delhi transport department. Kidnapping for industry has become a flourishing industry in Bihar but Sahay’s case has caused a flutter because it comes when the country is going to polls. The kidnappers, it is evident. Were keeping a close watch on Sahay’s daily movements and regular journey to golf course every morning.
EoM
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ASHISH SINHA
Special Correspondent
The Telegraph
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