Senior pharmaceutical company official freed

Gwalior, MP, Jan 26 (UNI) A senior official of a pharmaceutical company and his driver were rescued from the clutches of their abductors by Special Task Force of police, police said today.

Inspector General of Police (STF) Sanjeev Kumar Singh told a press conference here that Mr Ahswin Bhatt, chairman of Pithampur unit of Nicholas Piramal, and his driver were released from ravines in Saraichhola area in Morena without taking recourse to an encounter with their abductors.

Mr Bhatt, who was also present, said his abductors had demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore. However, he was released due to police efforts without paying any ransom.

Mr Singh indicated that the accused hailed from Madhya Pradesh and efforts were on to nab them.

Mr Bhatt was returning from Gwalior to Indore after taking part in a programme when his car was overtaken and halted by a vehicle near Agra-Mumbai National Highway, about 50 km from here. The accused fired gunshots and created terror before abducting their victims.

Mr Singh denied claims that money was paid for Mr Bhatt's release.

However, he said, it would not be appropriate to provide details about the abductors. He expressed the hope that these abductors would be arrested soon.

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