British couple abduction in Chennai: Two Lankans held

11 February 2014 06:15 pm - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Senior officials of London Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard) today met Chennai Police Commissioner in Chennai in connection with the case of kidnapping of a British couple of Sri Lankan origin, in which nine persons were arrested last year.

Craig Maggee and Mark Hughes of Kidnapping and Special Investigation Unit of the Scotland Yard met the Chennai Police Commissioner S George for collecting evidence and documents for the ongoing prosecution in London, an official release said.

National Crime Agency of UK's Sanjay Maini, along with representatives of the British High Commission in Delhi, were also present, it said.

Chennai Police had arrested nine persons, including two Sri Lankan nationals, on charges of abducting an elderly British couple of Sri Lankan origin and demanding a Rs 2.58 crore as ransom in May last year.

London Metropolitan Police arrested two persons in the UK for allegedly hatching a conspiracy for the crime, who are now in judicial custody in London facing prosecution in a local court, it added.

Chennai Police had coordinated with Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), London and the UK's National Crime Agency, state and central intelligence agencies and rescued the couple from an SUV bound for a house at Mandarakuppam in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu in May 2013.

Based on a complaint on May 29 last that British nationals Thavaraja (59) and his wife Salaja (55), who landed at the airport here from Colombo, were missing, a case was registered. They were originally from Sri Lanka and had settled down in the UK and obtained citizenship.

The couple had arrived in Chennai to proceed to Tiruchirapalli where they planned to join a tour operator and visit temples in the state for nine days.

Investigations showed the couple's daughter Dharshini, residing in London,received calls from unidentified men who claimed to have abducted her parents and demanded a ransom of Rs 2.58 crore (300,000 pounds). Some of the arrested were workers employed in the couple's firm in London.

Chennai Police coordinated with Dharshini as she sent them clippings of her conversation with the abductors and sought more time to raise the ransom money, as was advised by police.(Outlook India)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 2

Sanduni Wednesday, 12 February 2014 04:19 AM

Definitely these people are LTTE sympathizers!

Sanath Thursday, 13 February 2014 03:13 AM

This Tamils VS Tamils. Same as ex-LTTE tactics.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

British couple abduction in Chennai: Two Lankans held

Comments - 2

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

New Visa procedure implemented

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident