Abducted astrologer rescued, two held
By IANSWednesday, February 9, 2011
NEW DELHI - An abducted Delhi-based astrologer was rescued with the arrest of two people in Gurgaon. The astrologer was allegedly kidnapped by his former client who had suffered huge losses due to his astrological advice, police said Wednesday.
The abductor, Surender, who is still absconding, wanted to make up for the losses by demanding a ransom of Rs.7 lakh. The astrologer, Leeladhar, 65, had three years-ago advised him to donate a cow made of gold to bring him good fortune.
The arrested have been identified as Kailash, 35 and Prahlad, 35, both hailing from Rajasthan.
Leeladhar, who worked in Gurgaon, did not return to his Sarai Rohilla residence in north Delhi Monday evening. His son lodged a police complaint Tuesday.
The duo was apprehended when Leeladhar’s son Tinku went on the instruction of Delhi Police to deliver the ransom amount Tuesday.
The abductors had asked Tinku to come to Sohna Chowk in Gurgaon but later changed the location. There were around 10-15 people at the spot who started pelting stones at us when we tried to nab them. We were able to apprehend only two of them, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Surender Singh Yadav.
During interrogation, Kailash revealed that Leeladhar had suggested to Surender, a businessman and a resident of Nakroda Village in Gurgaon, to donate a cow made of gold weighing 31 tolas to bring good fortune for his family.
Believing him, Surender performed the ritual but suffered huge losses in business. He asked Leeladhar to return the money spent on the cow but he expressed his inability to do so.
After finding no scope to get money from Leeladhar, Surender kidnapped him.
Surender was confining Leeladha at his junk shop. Kailash and Prahlad, who had come to collect the ransom money, are working with Surender, Yadav added.
