Bangalore:
Four unidentified men kidnapped a 35-year-old realtor from a park near his house at Dollars Colony in JP Nagar IV Phase, and released him about 12 hours later near Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu on Monday.
A city police team left for Tamil Nadu to bring Satish Chandra back to Bangalore, joint commissioner of police (crime) Alok Kumar said.
"He (Chandra) called us from Krishnagiri and our team will be reaching there soon to bring him back to the city," Kumar said. The officer said he was suspecting a business rivalry might have led to the incident.
Another senior police officer, who preferred anonymity, expressed suspicion that Chandra's family might have paid an undisclosed amount as ransom to secure his release.
Police said Chandra had gone to the park for his routine morning walk around 6.15 am, when he was gagged and forcefully taken away in a car.
The park is located near the house of Ambareesh, Kannada actor and politician. No ransom call was received, police said. They were suspecting a professional gang's involvement in the incident.
Sources in the police said Chandra has been considered close to Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) party leaders. He was also a close friend of the brother of a senior Congress functionary.
The city police formed three teams to investigate, after Chandra's family lodged a complaint of kidnap.
Police said Chandra had a garment factory earlier, which he sold before investing money to float a realty firm, Sri Sai Builders and Developers. Investigators said the kidnapped man was also a business partner of a Congress leader from North Karnataka.
The realtor has been living in Dollars Colony with his wife Sushmita and their two children.
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