Four members of a gang were arrested for kidnapping actor Mushtaq Mohammad Khan from Delhi airport, holding him hostage in Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, and demanding ransom. Police officials have also revealed that the gang was plotting to abduct veteran actor Shakti Kapoor under the guise of inviting him to an event.
Bijnor Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha disclosed that Shivam Yadav, the event manager for Mushtaq Khan, filed a complaint on December 9. According to the complaint, the accused Lavi, alias Rahul Saini, had sent an advance payment of Rs 25,000 and an air ticket on October 15 to invite Khan to an event in Meerut.
When Mushtaq Khan arrived at Delhi airport on November 20, he was picked up by a cab driver who took him to a renowned ‘shikanji’ shop between Meerut and Delhi. It was here that the actor was forcibly moved into another vehicle by a group of individuals who informed him that he had been kidnapped. He was then taken to the residence of Lavi, a known criminal involved in the plot.
Escape and Ransom Withdrawal
During his captivity, the gang forced Khan to share his bank account details and password. On the night of November 20, the kidnappers consumed alcohol and fell asleep, providing an opportunity for Mushtaq Khan to escape. He found refuge in a mosque in Mohalla Chahshiri, where locals assisted him in contacting his family and safely returning home.
On November 21, the gang withdrew Rs 2.2 lakh from Khan’s bank account while shopping in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar.
Police have arrested four members of the gang, identified as Sarthak Chaudhary, Sabiuddin, Azim, and Shashank, and recovered Rs 1.04 lakh from their possession. Investigations revealed the gang’s modus operandi involved sending advance payments and air tickets to lure film stars to events and subsequently abducting them.
Shakti Kapoor Targeted
The investigation also uncovered that the gang attempted to lure veteran actor Shakti Kapoor with an offer of Rs 5 lakh to attend an event. However, the plan fell through due to disagreements over the advance payment.
Police are now probing whether the gang has been involved in other similar kidnappings of film stars. Efforts are underway to locate the remaining gang members, including Lavi, the mastermind behind the plot.
Related Incident: Comedian Sunil Pal’s Kidnapping
In a related case, Arjun, one of the gang members involved in comedian Sunil Pal’s abduction, was shot and injured during an encounter with police in Meerut on Sunday. Arrested a day earlier, Arjun attempted to escape custody by snatching a sub-inspector’s pistol during a medical checkup.
Arjun opened fire on the police team but was injured in the retaliatory exchange of gunfire. Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada confirmed the recovery of an SUV, a Scorpio, used in Sunil Pal’s kidnapping, along with Rs 2.25 lakh in cash and a mobile phone used in the crime.
Ongoing Investigation
Arjun has been hospitalized, and authorities are actively searching for his associates. The police believe that the gang’s operations are based in Bijnor and are investigating their involvement in other high-profile abductions. Victims have been contacted for further statements as the investigation continues.
