Kolkata, 19 May (H.S.): Two employees of a businessman from Gujarat were allegedly robbed of Rs 42 lakh and abducted after being lured to Kolkata on the pretext of a fake business deal, police said on Tuesday.

According to the complaint, the accused looted the cash from the employees, forced them into a vehicle and later abandoned them on the Kona Expressway in Howrah district before fleeing.

After learning about the incident, the businessman travelled to Kolkata and lodged a formal complaint at Survey Park Police Station. Police have registered a case of robbery and kidnapping and launched an investigation.

Police sources said the incident took place during the first week of this month in the Survey Park area of south Kolkata. The businessman, a resident of Gandhinagar, was allegedly contacted by a group posing as traders who offered to supply goods from Kolkata to Gujarat.

The accused allegedly told the businessman that the goods would be dispatched immediately after payment of Rs 42 lakh. Following the agreement, the businessman sent two of his employees to Kolkata carrying the cash.

Upon reaching the city, the employees were reportedly taken to a house in the New Santoshpur area of south Kolkata. There, they were asked to hand over the cash, while the employees demanded delivery of the goods in return.

According to the complaint, the two employees were then confined inside a room. Around six armed men allegedly threatened them at gunpoint and snatched away the bag containing Rs 42 lakh.

The victims reportedly tried to escape by banging on the door, but were held captive by the accused. Later, the gang allegedly took them in a car on the pretext of dropping them at Howrah railway station, but abandoned them on the Kona Expressway before escaping.

The two employees somehow managed to reach Howrah Railway Station and returned to Gujarat, where they informed the businessman about the incident.

The businessman later arrived in Kolkata on Monday and lodged a complaint with Survey Park Police Station.

Police are now trying to identify the house where the employees were allegedly held captive. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from Kolkata and Howrah and tracing the mobile numbers and vehicle allegedly used by the accused.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh