Four arrested for attempting to murder furniture trader

The police arrested four people who planned the kidnap of a furniture trader, but ended up shooting and injuring him at Pulakeshinagar on May 21.

While arresting Sheik Zubair (26) from Chelikere; Mehthab N (27) from RT Nagar; Niyamathulla (19) from KG Halli; and Syed Israr (22), residing in DJ Halli, the police also seized a car used for the crime.

In the course of their investigation, the police ascertained that the four men wanted to kidnap the trader, Masood Ali, and demand a ransom of Rs 5 crore from his family.

On interrogation, the police learnt that one of Zubair's relatives had bought a flat from Ali. This enabled Zubair to frequent the businessman's house and learn about his wealth. He then contacted Mehthab and devised a kidnap plan.

Zubair formed a seven-member gang and monitored Ali's movement from home to office for a few days. Their first plan to snatch Ali on April 23 ended in failure.

On May 21, they rented a car, changed its number plate and tried to cart off Ali, but ended up shooting and injuring him. The accused then fled the spot.

The Pulakeshinagar police, who registered an attempt to murder case, used technical details and field intelligence to arrest the accused. The four men were produced before a magistrate, who remanded them to custody.