Businessman kidnapped for Rs 50 lakh ransom in Ulhasnagar, five held including mastermind

Ulhasnagar police have cracked a kidnapping and ransom case, arresting five people including the main accused. Businessman Jairam Nehlani, a resident of Kalyan, was abducted a few days ago from the Gol Maidan area of Ulhasnagar.

According to the police investigation, the kidnappers contacted Nehlani's family and demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh in exchange for releasing him. Fearing for the businessman's life, the family went to Kalyan as instructed by the accused and handed over the demanded amount to a person there.

It is learnt that after taking the money, the person told Nehlani's relative that Jairam would reach home shortly, and then left saying "thank you uncle."

On receiving news of the kidnapping, police swiftly began investigating on the instructions of Ulhasnagar DCP Sachin Gore. Ten separate police teams were formed to trace the accused. The probe advanced using CCTV footage from the area, the movements of the accused and technical information.

Following the leads, police reached the Khadavli area, where a search operation was carried out with the help of local residents. Police eventually traced Jairam Nehlani and rescued him safely. During the operation, one suspect was taken into custody, and his questioning led police to information about the other accused.

Further investigation revealed that Sachin Shirsat, an estate agent known to Nehlani, is the alleged main conspirator behind the kidnapping. According to the police, Shirsat formed a gang with some young men and plotted Nehlani's abduction. He had fled after the incident but was later traced and arrested by police.

Five accused have been arrested in the case: Anil Jagtap, Vishal Chandramore, Ramesh Jadhav, Sachin Shirsat and Rahul Soni. Two other suspects, Satish Donde and Mayur Darane, are still at large, and police are searching several locations to trace them.

Ulhasnagar police are investigating the actual motive behind the kidnapping, how the accused planned it, what happened to the Rs 50 lakh ransom amount, and who else may be involved. Police have also said that action will be initiated against the accused under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).