Ahmedabad businessman alleges kidnapping attempt by hired men linked to old financial dispute

A 35-year-old Ahmedabad businessman has lodged a police complaint alleging that four unidentified men attempted to abduct him near a temple in the Vastrapur area on the instructions of two men linked to an old financial dispute.

According to Vastrapur police, the incident took place on May 23 near the Shani Dev temple located behind SAL Hospital in Vastrapur.

Prithvish Sureshbhai Prajapati, a resident of Maninagar who is engaged in land brokerage, alleged that the accused had been threatening him for years over a previous monetary dispute involving his friend Mihir Desai.

Prajapati stated that around three years ago, his friend Mihir Vashrambhai Desai allegedly had a financial dispute with Sanjay Rabari and Mahesh Rabari, both residents of Vastral.

Prajapati alleged that despite not being directly involved in the dispute, Sanjay Rabari repeatedly contacted and threatened him, claiming that he would be kidnapped and killed. The complainant further alleged that the accused had also deployed persons to monitor his movements outside his residence.

On May 23 around 6 pm, Prajapati left his residence along with his friends Parag Tataria and Rushin Bhatt in his SUV to visit the Shani Dev temple near SAL Hospital.

After offering prayers and exiting the temple premises around 7 pm, an unidentified man allegedly grabbed Prajapati from behind and attempted to overpower him. The complainant alleged that the man identified himself as an associate of Sanjay and Mahesh and demanded money from him.

Police said three more unidentified men allegedly joined them and chased Prajapati while threatening to abduct him and take him to Sanjay and Mahesh Rabari.

Fearing for his safety, Prajapati allegedly managed to escape from their clutches and ran back into the temple premises while shouting for help. His friends also raised an alarm, following which the four unidentified men fled from the spot.

The complainant later approached Vastrapur Police Station and lodged a formal complaint against Sanjay Rabari, Mahesh Rabari and the four unidentified men.

Police have registered a case relating to criminal conspiracy, attempted abduction, intimidation and extortion under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.