COIMBATORE: The Peelamedu police in Coimbatore city have arrested nine people on charges of kidnapping and assaulting a bakery owner over a dispute linked to arranging bail for a remand prisoner. The victim, Velmurugan, 36, is a native of Thiruchendur in Tuticorin district who resides in Cheran Maa Nagar and runs a bakery in the area. Police said Velmurugan and his friend, Nagaraj, 36, were earlier arrested in an attempt-to-murder case and lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison in judicial custody. While in prison, they made an agreement that whoever obtained bail first would help the other secure release. Velmurugan was granted bail in Dec and promised Nagaraj that he would arrange bail within a month. However, five months later, the promise was not fulfilled. Nagaraj’s associate, Isakki, visited him in prison recently. Nagaraj broke down and complained to Isakki that Velmurugan had betrayed him by not getting him bail. He asked Isakki to kidnap Velmurugan and extort money to meet his legal process. Isakki, along with eight others, planned to kidnap Velmurugan and extort money to fund Nagaraj’s legal process. On Wednesday night, a six-member group arrived at Velmurugan’s bakery in a car, dragged him out, forced him into the vehicle and took him to a secluded room. He was held captive, assaulted and threatened. The gang demanded Rs 2 lakh to secure Nagaraj’s release. Later, they abandoned him near Saravanampatti and threatened him to give money; otherwise, they would kill him. Following this, Velmurugan filed a complaint at the Peelamedu police station. Police registered a case, identified the gang and arrested them on Friday. Further investigations are under way.
