Gang abducts PA of Tamil Nadu minister

UDUMALPET: The personal assistant of Tamil Nadu animal husbandry minister Udumalai K Radhakrishnan was kidnapped by a masked gang in broad daylight on Wednesday and abandoned a few hours later.
M Karnan, 35, of Thanthoni village, was at the Udumalpet MLA office on Ansari Road in the town when a five-member gang came in a car around 11.30am. They dragged him out of the office, pushed him into the car and drove away.Almost two hours later, he was dropped at Valavadi near Dhali, about 15km away from the abduction spot.
Karnan claimed that the kidnap was for political reasons. “The gang wanted some information. I didn’t have the information they sought,’’ he told reporters outside the Dhali police station without elaborating.
“Only after the arrest of the offenders and after a thorough police investigation, will know the motive behind the kidnap,’’ the minister told TOI. A CCTV footage that captured the daring kidnap shows the assailant’s car slowly approaching the MLA’s office and stopping near the entrance. Four men with their faces covered by masks and kerchiefs enter the office, while the driver waits in the car. Within two minutes they are seen dragging Karnan out of the office holding him by his neck. They shove him inside the car even as he tries to wriggle out and speed away from the spot. The gang abandoned him at Dhali near Udumalpet around 1.30pm after allegedly taking away his gold chain, ring and valuables. He reached an AIADMK functionary’s house there and informed the police. Subsequently he visited Dhali police station where west zone IG K Periaiah and Tirupur SP Disha Mittal inquired him.
Talking to reporters in front of the Dhali police station, Karnan gave contradictory statements. Initially he said that they threatened him demanding money, but did not specify the quantum of money.
Moments later, when asked if he was kidnapped due to personal enmity, he said it was due to political motive. “It was not due to any personal motive, but political motive. They sought some information which I didn’t have. So they dropped me near Vazhavadi after snatching my chain and ring,’’ he said. According to Karnan, the gang demanded his ATM card too, but Karnan said he had missed the card during the melee.
Karnan however said he could identify the gang if he sees them again. “They had knives and a pistol with which they threatened me inside the car,” he said.
Karnan, has been the personal aide of Udumalai Radhakrishnan for the past seven years. Udumalai Radhakrishnan told TOI that there were no threats to Karnan in the past. SP Disha Mittal said that they have formed special teams to nab to gang.