Kolkata, 19 May (H.S.): A shocking case of alleged kidnapping and robbery involving two employees of a Gujarat-based businessman has come to light in Kolkata. The victims were reportedly lured to the city on the pretext of a business deal and later robbed of Rs 42 lakh by armed miscreants.

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly forced the two employees into a car after looting the cash and later abandoned them on the Kona Expressway in Howrah before fleeing.

Following the incident, the businessman from Gandhinagar arrived in Kolkata and lodged a formal complaint at Survey Park Police Station. Police have registered a case of robbery and kidnapping and started 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 Gujarat-based businessman had reportedly been contacted by some individuals claiming to be traders interested in supplying goods from Kolkata to Gujarat.

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

Upon arriving in 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 money, while the employees insisted on receiving the goods first. It was at this point, according to the complaint, that the two were allegedly confined inside a room.

The complaint further states that around six armed men threatened the employees at gunpoint and snatched the bag containing Rs 42 lakh in cash. The victims reportedly tried to escape by banging on the door but failed.

Later, the accused allegedly forced the two employees into a vehicle, claiming they would be dropped at Howrah railway station. However, they were instead abandoned on the Kona Expressway, after which the accused fled the spot.

The two employees somehow managed to reach Howrah railway station and later returned to Gujarat, where they informed the businessman about the entire incident. The businessman subsequently came to Kolkata on Monday and lodged the complaint with the police.

Investigators are now trying to identify the house where the employees were allegedly held captive. Police are also examining mobile phone numbers used by the accused, tracking the vehicle involved and scanning CCTV footage from Kolkata and Howrah as part of the investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey