CHENNAI : An armed gang allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a businessman living on Madhavaram High Road, Perambur in a possible bid to make him part with his 20-acre property in Oragadam near Sholavaram.

K. Mathiaharan (50) owned about 140 acres of land near Sholavaram in Ponneri taluk. He has been in the palm oil and brick production business for about 15 years.

Rs. 5 crore loan

He had taken a loan of Rs.5 crore from a bank for his business. When he failed to repay it because of losses, the bank went to court and realised its debt by taking over part of his land. After settling the loan, he still had about 20 acres, on which he carried on his business, employing some 50 labourers.

On March 1, he was proceeding to his factory by car in the morning when a gang intercepted him near his office and took him away. Blindfolded, he was taken to an undisclosed destination, detained and assaulted.

As he did not reach his office and the mobile phone was switched off, his wife Kavita sensed trouble. After finding the car abandoned near the factory, the family members grew even more suspicious.

Telegrams to CM's cell

She lodged a complaint with the Sholavaram police, and also sent telegrams to the Chief Minister's Cell, the Home Secretary and the Director-General of Police asking them to ensure Mr. Mathiaharan's safety.

Mr. Mathiaharan was let off around 8 p.m. He had suffered bruises all over his body, and was admitted to the Government General Hospital. Feeling threatened there, he shifted to a private hospital near Poonamallee High Road on March 2, according to his wife.

Mr. Mathiaharan and his wife said on Tuesday that the gang had threatened them, asking them to part with the 20 acres. "Since we refused to sell the land to them, the gang entered the premises on Sunday with about 50 people and started demolishing the compound wall."

On Monday, Kavitha filed a complaint with Commissioner of Police Letika Saran seeking protection. Thiru.Vi.Ka. Nagar police have since provided protection to them.

The Police Commissioner told The Hindu that she had forwarded the complaint to the station concerned for investigation.

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