Kidnapped businessman rescued in Ctg; ex-Army man among six held

A businessman, who was allegedly kidnapped four days ago, was rescued from Paschim Puchhari in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram on Wednesday, while six people, including a former Army member, were detained in connection with the incident.

The rescued businessman was identified as Mohammad Ehsan, 36, son of Nurul Kabir of Teriakata village in Paschim Puchhari.

The detainees are Sumon Munshi, 32, a former Army member, Mizanur Rahman, 29, Zainal Uddin, 28, Md Abbas Uddin, 31, Md Solim alias Selim, 30, and Delwar Hossain, 40.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (Anwara Circle) Mahmudul Hasan said several teams of law enforcement agencies conducted drives and rescued the businessman

At the same time, six alleged kidnappers were detained from the spot, he said.

Police said several people wearing black clothes and face masks entered Ehsan’s business establishment, Abdullah Enterprise, in the Prem Bazar area of Banshkhali around 8:30pm on October 17. Some of them allegedly identified themselves as members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB).

They handcuffed Ehsan and took him away by a CNG-run auto-rickshaw towards Toitong Hazi Bazar in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar. He was later reportedly taken to the Baraithali area of Chakaria.

Family members said the kidnappers contacted Ehsan’s wife and his business manager, Mozaffar Uddin, from several mobile phone numbers and demanded Tk 20 lakh for his release.

They allegedly threatened to kill him if the ransom was not paid.

The family contacted police soon after the kidnapping, prompting them to launch drives to rescue Ehsan.

Ehsan had lived in South Africa for 12 years. After returning to Bangladesh, he started a hardware business in the Prem Bazar area.

A case was filed with Banshkhali Police Station over the incident.