Driver masterminded IT official's kidnap: Police

Hyderabad, July 25 (UNI) Police arrested the car driver of Satyam Computers' principal correspondent Vedula Satyanarayana for allegedly 'masterminding' his kidnap for ransom here.

Addressing the press here, City Police Commissioner Balwinder Singh said the police yesterday arrested driver V Mohan and K Daveed, who provided shelter to the kidnappers at Warangal district.

Mr Singh said the kidnappers, posing as Naxals, had abducted the Satyam official. Satyanrayana was rescued from Nekkonda village in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh last night.

One K Venkanna is also alleged to have links with driver as both of them hailed from same town Gudur. A gang of about eight to 10 members was involved in the kidnap.

Mr Singh said the driver, working with Satyanarayana for the post three years, was aware of the professionals, wealth status. He confessed to his involvement in the kidnap episode.

Satyanarayana, who was present at the press conference said, the gang had blindfolded him before kidnapping. They drove him away in a car and threatened to kill him if a ransom of Rs 20 lakh was not paid.

''I was lodged in a dark room, The kidnappers had weilded weapons'', he said. ''I dealt with them gently and sent SMS messages to my wife informing about their demand'.

After the police swung into action, they left him at a railway station where he boarded a train. He was escorted by the police at Maulali railway station.

A man hunt is on to arrest the absconding kidnappers.

UNI