Shanky T
Bokaro (Jharkhand): Bokaro police arrested one kidnapper on October 25 midnight and are searching for three other kidnappers who had the same evening kidnapped Kolkatta (Behala) based marketing manager of M/s Sika India Private Limited Vinod Kumar Sharma alias Vinod Shikha (originally of Assam), who after coming to Dhanbad by train was on his way to Bokaro steel city by a taxi, before he was kidnapped. Sharma was coming to Bokaro on a hired taxi. But, just after he crossed Telmaccho bridge in sector XI of Bokaro steel city, about 10 km away from Bokaro main city, four car borne four criminals kidnapped him.Vinod Sharma was rescued at Bokaro.
The arrested criminal has been identified as Suraj Kumar Mahto, 26, son of Rampadh Mahto of sector IX of Bokaro steel city. Police are looking for his three other associates: Rajendra Mahto (also of sector IX), Nishu Kumar alias Sumit Singh (resident of Chas) and Prakash Singh, all in their late twenties.
According to police, after reaching Dhanbad by evening train, Vinod Sharma took a taxi (taxi driver Ashok Kumar Sharma) and went to Tundi (Dhanbad) for some official work and while returning from there stopped at Putki ( 9km away from Dhanbad) to take light refreshment at a line hotel. At the line hotel,Vinod had normal talks with three youths (who came by van) who were also taking food at Putki. After finishing his tea, Vinod left the place and headed towards Bokaro unaware of the fact that they were being cautiously followed by the van borne youths.
After covering about 25 km as soon the taxi carrying Vinod crossed Telmachho bridge and entered sector XI of Bokaro, the criminals seated in the van overtook the taxi and forcibly stopped the taxi flashing their pistol and took Vinod in their captivity. Three youth entered the taxi directing the taxi driver to move it as per their direction while the fourth criminal followed the taxi. After scaling about 4 km as soon as the taxi on which the criminals were seated reached near sector VI of Bokaro steel city, near a crowded spot the taxi driver suddenly stopped his vehicle and started shouting raising an alarm of being kidnapped supported by Vinod who also started shouting for help .
Unprepared for this, the three kidnappers got panicky and later after snatching the purse of Vinod containing Rs 5,000 and his mobile phone as well as the purse of the taxi driver containing Rs 1, 000 escaped towards sector IX of Bokaro steel city.
Minutes after this incident, patrolling police reached the spot and soon after this message was flashed, City DSP Ajay Kumar, sector IV police station OC, sector VI OP OC A K Sinha and others rushed to the spot.
Bokaro SP Y S Ramesh said that Suraj was arrested from Chas Mufassil police station area. He was spotted escaping from the van and rushing towards a house where he hidden himself.