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Mangaluru: A group of businessmen from Kozhikode were reportedly brought to Mangaluru on the promise of a business deal, only to be abducted, assaulted, and robbed of cash and shares valued at over Rs 28 lakh, as per a complaint lodged with the Mangaluru Rural Police.
Abdul Manaf, the complainant, along with his associates Arshaq Ahmad, Yasar Arafath VP, and Mohammad Sahir, stated that they run a partnership firm in Dubai focused on share trading and land brokerage. Temporarily operating from Kozhikode for the past three months, the group had contacted a Mangaluru-based acquaintance named Sarfaraz to explore a potential business opportunity.
Following this, on July 11, the group arrived at Pumpwell in Mangaluru around 4:30 pm where they were joined by Sarfaraz and another individual. All of them then travelled together in a car, allegedly to meet another party at Mallur to discuss the proposed business. Upon reaching a roadside house-like building in Mallur around 5:30 pm, the situation took a violent turn.
According to the complaint, the victims were suddenly attacked upon entering the building. Four individuals began assaulting them physically while a group of around ten people, some wielding swords and others carrying knives, surrounded them.
The gang allegedly issued death threats, verbally abused the victims, and robbed Rs 90,000 from Yasar Arafath’s pocket. In addition, Rs 10,000 was reportedly transferred via Google Pay from Mohammad Sahir’s mobile to a private entity.
One of the assailants allegedly pressed what appeared to be a pistol to Arafath’s neck while another forcibly took his phone, compelled him to unlock it, and transferred shares worth Rs 28 lakh from his trading account. They also allegedly seized his wallet containing identity cards and Rs 1,000 in cash.
The victims were reportedly held against their will for nearly five hours, , during which they were intimidated with sharp weapons and subjected to further abuse.
Sarfaraz, along with 10 others, is said to have orchestrated the entire incident. Abdul Manaf and Arshaq Ahmad sustained injuries and were admitted to a hospital.