Vastrapur police arrest three in kidnapping and extortion case; key accused still absconding

The Vastrapur Police have arrested three men in connection with an alleged kidnapping and extortion case registered at Vastrapur Police Station, while the main accused and several others remain absconding.

The case was registered under Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, following a complaint filed by a 35-year-old businessman from Maninagar.

Prithvish Sureshbhai Prajapati alleged that he had been facing threats from Sanjay Somabhai Rabari, a resident of Vastral, for nearly three years. The dispute allegedly stemmed from a financial disagreement between Rabari and Prajapati’s friend, Mihir Vashrambhai Desai, a resident of Maninagar.

Police said that although Prajapati was not directly involved in the original dispute, Rabari allegedly held him responsible for not cooperating in efforts to resolve the matter. The complainant alleged that Rabari repeatedly threatened him over the phone, warning that he would be kidnapped and killed. He further claimed that men associated with the accused would regularly loiter near his residence and monitor his movements.

The alleged incident took place on May 23 near the Shandivana Temple area. Following an investigation, police arrested three accused, Hardik alias Chiku Hiteshbhai Bhoi (25), a labourer from Ghodasar; Ketan alias Chetan Ishwarbhai Rabari, a resident of Jashodanagar; and Kaushik Prakashbhai Bhil, a Rapido rider residing in Odhav.

Kaushik Bhil has previously been booked in two prohibition-related offences registered at Amraiwadi Police Station in 2024 and 2025. Investigators, however, said the other two arrested accused have no known criminal antecedents.

As per police official Sanjay Somabhai Rabari and Mahesh Somabhai Rabari as the main accused. Police are also searching for Dasharath Mahendrabhai Rathod, a resident of Vastral, and another unidentified individual who was allegedly travelling in a Scorpio vehicle during the incident.

Investigators believe the offence was the outcome of a long-running personal and financial rivalry. Police said efforts are under way to trace and apprehend the remaining accused and to ascertain the precise roles played by each individual in the alleged conspiracy.