Twice sold, no leads on abducted Datia businessman

BHOPAL: In a case of life imitating Prakash Jha's flick Apaharan, where abduction was an industry, an owner of a marriage garden was abducted from Datia on April 2. The abducted man was reportedly sold to another gang for Rs 50,000 and the gang which 'bought' him is now reportedly demanding ransom. Even after passing of so many days, nobody knows where the abducted man is.
Ashok Patel, 45, was abducted from Bhander tehsil of the district on April 2.His abductors reportedly sold him to a gang of dacoit Balak Das Dhimar, a dacoit who operates in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and carries a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head.
Five people, including main accused who abducted Patel have been arrested. I G Chambal Range, D C Sagar said, "All arrested accused are carriers and middlemen. The main accused and victim are still not traced."
It is only after the arrest of main suspects, actual situation will become clear. Based on primary information gathered from accused, Balak Das Dhimar is one of the suspects," he said. Patel was abducted from a restaurant on Sarsei Road in Bhander town of the district. The accused used a Bolero car number MP 07 C A 1590 to abduct him.
Among those, who have been arrested are Feran Singh Yadav, resident of Badi Marseni village, Sarnam Singh Baghel resident of Dhorara village, Haridaman resident of Chhan village for conspiracy and providing provisions to the accused, another accused Laximnarayan Yadav, a resident of Bhander has also been connected with abduction. One of the accused, Dharmendra Yadav surrendered before court.
However, 44 days after the abduction, there is little headway. A senior police official said, "Family members have not said anything about receiving ransom calls. The accused have not been able to provide any concrete information and we are treading cautiously as there is a threat to the life of the victim."