Bichar Bhavan: A city court on Thursday convicted three men of kidnapping a businessman for ransom in 2008.

Khalid Khan, originally from Nashik, Sahadab Siddique from Mumbai's Andheri (West), and Kamran Aktar from Metiabruz had kidnapped Sreeram Buchasia, then 45, from City Centre, Salt Lake, on March 17, 2008.

The court acquitted Abhishek Singh of Calcutta, who had been accused of providing the three with logistical support.

Buchasia, a coal merchant in Howrah, was held hostage at Jagachha and the kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs 1.5 crore.

He was released after his family negotiated and paid a reduced sum of Rs 40 lakh.

The CID had busted a gang comprising people from Maharashtra, who took the help of youths living on the outskirts of Calcutta to kidnap traders.

At least Rs 23 lakh was recovered, an officer said.

The agency had chargesheeted Khan, Siddique, Aktar and Singh.

The chief judge of the city sessions court at Bichar Bhavan convicted them of kidnapping Buchasia for ransom.

The quantum of punishment will be declared on Friday.

The maximum punishment for kidnapping for ransom is death.