We are clueless: Cops

After visiting Bangkok to investigate the abduction of a Rajasthan-based marble dealer, cops return and say...

After visiting Bangkok to investigate the abduction of a Rajasthan-based marble dealer, cops return and say...

The investigation into the kidnapping of Rajasthan-based marble dealer Arun Bharadia (28) ('Tumhara pati

where? Arun Bharadia, a marble dealer from Rajasthan, was kidnapped in Bangkok

hamare paas hai. 5 cr do', April 10) has come to a dead end with the Rajasthan police, who flew to Bangkok to follow up the case, returning clueless.

Bharadia was lured to Bangkok, where he was kidnapped, with the promise of a Rs 4-crore marble deal. He was told about the deal by south Mumbai resident Bhadresh Shah (50).

The police now suspect that Shah, who made the arrangements for Bharadia's stay in Mumbai and flight to Bangkok, masterminded the abduction.

Talking to MiD DAY from Rajasthan, Additional Director General of Police (ATS- Rajasthan) Kapil Garg said, "We went to Bangkok with some clues such as phone call details of the abductors and details of ATM withdrawals made in Bangkok from the victim's bank, but we are still clueless."

According to Garg, unlike India where it is mandatory to provide personal details and a photograph of the subscriber to the service provider to obtain a cellphone connection Bangkok has no such regulations in place.
"SIM cards can be obtained without any proof of identity and this is proving to be a major hurdle in our investigation," he added.

Curious twist

The police team returned empty-handed amid a curious twist to the case. The abductors have brought down their ransom amount from Rs 5 crore to Rs 2 crore.

They have also found that since the first ransom call on March 26, the abductors have used Bharadia's IDBI debit card seven times and withdrawn Rs 2 lakh in Bangkok.u00a0

The police have ruled out the possibility of Bharadia plotting his abduction for money.

While the team back home is focusing on Shah for the moment, Garg said, "We are still hopeful that the local police and Interpol will be able to crack the case soon."

The main suspect
A Rajasthan police team also visited Bhadresh Shah's residence in Girgaum. Preliminary inquires reveal that he is a jeweller and has two cases registered against him with the Mumbai Crime Branch. He has also visited Bangkok six to seven times. Shah is separated from his wife and child and they are not on talking terms with him.