Kolkata: A gang of criminals posing as CID officers allegedly abducted an export-import businessman at gunpoint from outside Mani Square Mall on Bypass on Wednesday evening, demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore and, when the demand was not met, robbed him of Rs 70,000 and a gold chain before abandoning him at Shashan in Rajarhat, around 30 km away.The businessman from Baduria somehow managed to return home on Thursday before lodging a complaint on Friday night. Officers of Phoolbagan PS have registered a case of abduction and robbery and are examining CCTV footage from the mall as well as traffic camera footage to gather leads. No arrests have been made so far.According to the plaint, businessman Benjamin Mandal (39) had come to meet a business associate and his wife around 4.10 pm on Wednesday to discuss a business deal. He was accompanied by two associates. After the meeting, as they stepped out of the mall in the evening, they were allegedly accosted by 12 to 14 men waiting outside. The accused identified themselves as CID officers and dragged Mandal into a black SUV, claiming he would be interrogated in connection with a case involving financial irregularities and smuggling. When his aides tried to intervene, they were allegedly assaulted and abused.The complainant alleged that while the vehicle was in motion, one of the abductors held a pistol to his head and demanded Rs 1 crore for his release. When he said he was unable to arrange the money, the gang allegedly assaulted him. Fearing for his life, Mandal handed over the Rs 70,000 cash he was carrying. The accused also allegedly snatched his gold chain, valued at around Rs 3 lakh, and took away the keys to his bike.After driving through Salt Lake, Barasat and New Town, the gang allegedly abandoned Mandal near Shashan in North 24 Parganas and threatened to kill him if he approached the police.
