Abduction attempt on Bahrain-based businessman, 7 held

Kozhikode, Kerala : Kerala police have arrested seven persons, including the national leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for trying to kidnap Bahrain-based businessman K. T. Rabeeullah, from his village in Malappuram district, The Hindu newspaper reported on Tuesday.

BJP Minority Morcha secretary Aslam Gurukkal was arrested along with his gunman and five others when they tried to forcibly enter the house of Rabeeullah with the motive  to abduct him. The Bahrain-based businessman owns several business establishments including the Al Shifa Group of Hospitals in Manama and Kerala.

The police recovered two guns from the seven-member gang who came from Mangaluru. The gang included a Karnataka State police officer.

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court here remanded the accused in judicial custody. Gurukkal would seek bail on Wednesday. The police said they would seek the custody of the accused.

The gang was arrested on the basis of a complaint of trespass and attempted kidnap filed by Rabeeullah’s wife.

Gurukkal and team, who reached philanthropist Rabeeullah’s house in three vehicles, tried to break into the compound when stopped by the security guard. A clash ensued when the local people intervened.

Gurukkal and three others escaped in two cars while the remaining members of the gang were detained and their vehicle was attacked by the people. The police later arrested Gurukkal and team from Kozhikode.

Apart from the BJP leader, those arrested were Riyas, Arshad, Usman, Ramesh, Sunil Kumar, and Kesava Murthy. Murthy is a Karnataka police officer. The police said Gurukkal and team had some business connections with Rabeeullah. Gurukkal said the NRI businessman had been detained in his house by his relatives. The police refused to comment on it.