4 kidnappers of Indian businessman arrested

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday arrested four persons tagged in the kidnapping of an Indian businessman in Makati City last month.

Rescued from the suspects was Jujhar Singh, whom they kidnapped in exchange for a P20-million ransom.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez said the suspects, led by Zahr Ahmed Chaudhry, are behind the kidnapping of Indians staying in the Philippines.

“The kidnap ring operates in the province of Cavite and nearby cities and municipalities, targeting Indian nationals. The group, composed mostly of Indians, has links to former members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military,” the NBI said.

Mendez said Chaudhry was nabbed along with his brother-in-law Jimmy Cortez Isetan, a Pakistani; Joshi Tarun, and Pradeep Kumar Sharma. The four are under the custody of the NBI-National Capital Region (NCR).

Their arrest stemmed from the complaint of the relatives of Singh.

Max Salvador, chief of NBI-NCR, said Singh was kidnapped in Makati on Sept. 25 while collecting cash for his money lending business, commonly known as “5-6.”

Based on NBI records, Singh was the group’s sixth victim.

“One of their victims paid P4 million in exchange for his release,” said Salvador.

He added that some of the kidnap victims have yet to be rescued.

Chained

The kidnappers chained Singh and kept him for five days in a small room in Cabuyao, Laguna while waiting for the P20-million ransom.

Rescuers found the victim in handcuffs and his feet shackled to the steel window of the house.

Singh faced reporters and showed torture marks in his feet and chest.

The NBI recovered one of the guns used by the suspects – a 9 mm Berreta pistol issued by the PNP with serial number G41461Z.

NBI officials have yet to establish how a police-owned and government-issued firearm landed in the hands of the kidnappers.

The suspects yielded a .45-caliber handgun, documents on their kidnapping activities and a sport utility vehicle.