Kidnappers arrested, kingpin at large

Chennai, May 26 (UNI) Two close aides of notorious rowdy ''Vellai'' Ravi were arrested after a shootout in connection with the kidnap of a businessman late last night at suburban Kolathur.

Police said the two -- Shivakumar and Rajkumar -- were arrested when they came to get the balance amount of the ransom demanded by a seven-member gang, which had kidnapped the businessman Rajkumar on May 22.

The businessman, who had arranged a part payment of Rs 60 lakh of the Rs two crore ransom demanded by the gang, managed to escape from the abductors and lodged a complaint with the police.

Acting on the complaint, special police teams, armed with a shoot at sight order, launched a manhunt to nab the rowdy as investigations revealed that his accomplices were involved in the kidnap.

The special team managed to secure the duo, who tried to escape with the money on seeing the police. However, police opened fire injuring Shivakumar. Fearing for his life, Rajkumar too surrendered.

A trap was laid by the police and the two came to a place in Kolathur to get the balance of the ransom amount when they were nabbed.

Sources said Vellai Ravi, who was watching the scene from far away managed to escape in a waiting car.

However, the city was agog with rumours that the notorious rowdy was killed in an encounter, which was stoutly denied by the police.

While confirming the arrest of two of his associates, police expressed confidence that Ravi would also be arrested soon.

The injured was admitted to a hospital for treatment. Both of them were being interrogated at separate places and investigations revealed that Ravi was the kingpin behind the kidnap and that he was involved in many such acts.

UNI