The Hindu : New Delhi News : Police suspect son-in-law's role in Professor's kidnapping

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 18, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Police suspect son-in-law's role in Professor's kidnapping

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, FEB. 17. The police today said the kidnapping of the Delhi University professor from near his house in West Delhi this past Monday was not for ransom but a result of problems within the family. They said the professor's son-in-law was the suspect and they were trying to trace him.

Baldev Raj Sethi, a professor at Delhi University's Shivaji College, had gone missing after he went for a morning walk near his house in Tilak Nagar around 7 a.m. When he did not return till around 9 a.m., the family informed the police. Around 10 a.m., the family got a call in which Rs. 10 lakhs were allegedly demanded. The call was traced to Gujarat and a police team has been sent there.

The police said the kidnapping was not for ransom. "The suspect, Manoj Patel, called up on Monday to say that if he was paid Rs. 10 lakhs he would leave with his wife for the United States," said a police officer. He added that Manoj was angry over the fact that his wife, Archana, younger daughter of Mr. Sethi, had left him and had begun living with her parents.

Although, the family had alleged that Manoj had switched off his mobile phone after the kidnapping, the police said he was in touch with his wife and her family members and was trying to strike a deal.

Manoj, who had a business in Gujarat, was married to Archana about 18 months ago. However, there were problems between them and Archana had also got a case of dowry harassment registered against Manoj. The family had alleged that Manoj had been trying to persuade the family to take back the case.

Meanwhile, the police said they have managed to get some idea of the whereabouts of the suspect. Further investigations in the case are on.

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