MAPUSA: Four youth from Goa are reported to have been kidnapped near Kolhapur, while they were returning home from a pilgrimage at Shirdi on Sunday night.
The kidnappers are alleged to have demanded a ransom of Rs 25 lakh to free the youth and Crime Branch Kolhapur is investigating the case.
According to sources, Rahul Dhargalkar (21), Dyaneshwar Gokakkar (21) from Dangui Colony in Mapusa, Manoj Gaonkar (20) and Sawlo Gaonkar from Mayem had gone to Shirdi in their car on December 8.
While they were returning to Goa, their car collided with another car at Kagal, some distance away from Kolhapur. The occupants of the other car are alleged to have kidnapped the four youth, informed sources.
Sources said the kidnappers contacted the families of the kidnapped youth and demanded a ransom of Rs 25 lakh, failing which they threatened to kill the youth.
The panic-stricken family members reported the incident to Mapusa and Bicholim police and also went to Kolhapur, where they filed a police complaint.
Acting on the complaint, the Kolhapur Police transferred the case to the Kolhapur Crime Branch and conducted raids at various places to search of the kidnappers, added sources.
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HELD TO RANSOM
* Rahul Dhargalkar (21)
* Dyaneshwar Gokakkar (21)
* Manoj Gaonkar (20)
* Sawlo Gaonkar
AS IT HAPPENED
* While they were returning to Goa, their car collided with another car at Kagal
* The occupants of the other car are alleged to have kidnapped the four youth
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