By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: The relentless efforts of Special Task Force, (STF), of Madhya Pradesh Police paid dividends when it got Indore-based Ashwini Kumar Bhatt, a senior executive of pharmaceutical major Nicholas Piramal India Ltd, who was allegedly abducted by dacoits and went missing for last days, released unharmed.
Bhatt and his car driver’s release was ensured by STF on January 26. It has identified the kidnappers and efforts are on for their early arrest.
Bhatt was kidnapped on January 18, 2008 when he was returning to Indore after giving his presentation at Buyers-Sellers Meet under Destination Madhya Pradesh programme at Gwalior. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had taken his abduction seriously and had entrusted the task to STF for his release.
This incident was highlighted against the enthusiastic atmosphere of industrialisation in Madhya Pradesh. In view of this factor, Chief Minister Chouhan had given strict instructions for Bhatt’s release. He was also keeping a constant watch on the situation. During his recent Gwalior visit Chouhan had expressed the hope that Bhatt would be got released soon unharmed.
According to police sources on January 18, Ashwini Bhatt had left Gwalior at 11.45 am for Indore in his Toyota Corolla car. After traversing about 40-45 kilometres, five persons on board a Tata Sumo vehicle had overtaken and intercepted his car 15 kilometres away from Ghatigaon on Shivpuri road. The gangsters fired a shot in the air with a view to instilling fear, sorces said.
Later, the gangsters shoved Bhatt and his driver in his Toyota Corolla car and drove towards Shivpuri. After travelling some distance, they turned the car back towards Gwalior and asked Bhatt and his driver to board the Tata Sumo vehicle. After sometime they stopped the vehicle and put a piece of cloth on the eyes of the abducted persons. The vehicle kept moving on metalled and un-metalled roads for about three to four hours. Later, the vehicle stopped at a shanty in a ravine in Chambal valley and both of them were held captive there.
Meanwhile, after analysing the abduction incident, STF arrived at the conclusion that the abductors belong to some organised gang while the culprits holding the abductees belonged to another group. For safe release of Bhatt and his driver, the STF created a wide network of spies with the cooperation of Gwalior and Indore range cops and Agra unit of Uttar Pradesh STF.
On January 26, STF got the information that some criminals were holding two persons captive in Sarai Chhola police station area in Morena district. The police lost no time in raiding the hideout. On seeing the policemen the gangsters fled away leaving Bhatt and his driver unharmed. Later, the STF personnel took Bhatt to his house in Indore.
Bhatt was in charge of the company’s plant operations in India. Nicholas Piramal has several operations in India and abroad, including Britain and Canada.
Chief Minister Chouhan has congratulated the officers, policemen and employees who effected Bhatt’s early and safe release. ([email protected])