Ashwani Bhatt reaches home safe

Gwalior, Jan 27: President of Nicholas Piramal, Ashwani Bhatt and his driver Babu Bhai Patel, who went missing eight days ago, were rescued by a team of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh cops from a house at the Ghatigaon area in the Chambal on Saturday morning. Bhat was abducted on January 18 when he was returning to Indore from a meeting in Gwalior.

After the rescue, the police officials convened a press conference in Gwalior on Republic day. A ransom of Rs 2 crores was demanded by the abductors for the release of Bhatt, but the police claimed that not a single penny was paid. The police said that the special task force worked round the clock and brought Ashwani Bhatt and Babu Bhai Patel. But there appeared several lacunae in police story. After taking Bhatt into their security ring the police officers claimed that the STF team got him freed. The news of release of Bhatt was in the air on January 25, but the police came out with the claim of Bhatt’s after 20 hours. STF IG Sanjeev Kumar Singh told media persons that the STF was working in the case, but lately it was found that Bhatt could be somewhere on the border. Then, STF of Uttar Pradesh was also called in. Singh informed that when the cops reached the spot in Sarai Chola forests, found Bhatt and his driver in a cottage, and no abductor was present. Surprisingly, both the hostages were free.

Sources claimed that the ransom amount of Rs 25 lakh was paid in Oraiya (UP). The Nicholas Pirmal Company paid special role in paying the ransom. As soon as the abductors got the amount they released Bhatt and his driver in Rampur of Oraiya from where they reached Agra from there, the team of STF entered in the case. Police said, the duo were taken to Sabalgarh soon after abduction and then to Madrial (Rajasthan) where the vehicle was changed. From this place, the vehicle of Bhatt was taken to Dholpur, where it was found deserted. The victims were kept in Rampur village district Oriya (UP). The transaction of Rs 25 lakh took place there only. The abductors gave Rs 500 each to Bhatt and Patel who reached Agra. From Agra Bhatt telephoned to his home and intimated them of the spot in Agra where they were staying.