Police rescue abducted rice mill owner's son in Kancheepuram, arrest five

The Kancheepuram police rescued 26-year-old Surendran, the son of a local rice mill owner, on Tuesday afternoon after he was abducted at knifepoint in the Sirukaveripakkam area of Kancheepuram. A five-member gang had intercepted his vehicle and later demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh for his safe return, threatening to kill him if the money was not paid within 30 minutes.

The incident took place when Surendran, accompanied by a rice mill employee, was travelling on a two-wheeler to Vinayagapuram to purchase lunch for his 55-year-old father, Ravi. Ravi operates two modern rice mills named VRS in the Sirukaveripakkam area, where Surendran assists him in managing the business.

While the duo was returning to the rice mill, a car followed them and suddenly intercepted their two-wheeler. A group of men stepped out of the vehicle, threatened Surendran with a knife, and forcibly dragged him into the car before speeding away. The mill employee who witnessed the kidnapping immediately informed Ravi, who then alerted the Baluchettichatram police.

Shortly after the abduction, Ravi received a phone call from an unidentified person stating that his son had been kidnapped. The caller demanded Rs 50 lakh for Surendran’s release and threatened to kill the victim if the money was not arranged. When Ravi requested more time and asked for a reduction in the ransom amount, stating he could not arrange such a large sum immediately, the caller refused and gave him a strict 30-minute deadline.

Following the complaint, police alerted the Kancheepuram Superintendent of Police and set up checkposts across the district. Surveillance was intensified along border areas and adjoining routes. A special police team tracked the mobile phone location of the suspects to a grove near Cheyyar in neighbouring Tiruvannamalai district.

The special team rushed to the location, surrounded the gang, rescued Surendran safely, and seized the car allegedly used in the abduction. Police apprehended Santhana Krishnan, 34, Thamizhmani, 23, Rahul, 23, and two juveniles in connection with the crime. The suspects were brought to the Baluchettichatram police station under heavy security for questioning.

According to police, the suspected mastermind, Santhana Krishnan, resides on Ekambaranathar Sannathi Street in Kancheepuram. He had previously operated a rice mill but suffered losses in the business. Investigators suspect he planned the abduction believing the family’s financial standing would allow them to raise the ransom quickly. Further investigation into the crime is underway.