Gandhinagar: A Class-I officer working with the Gujarat government was kidnapped by extortionists today. The officer was rescued by police after a daring chase and operation.

RK Vasava (Ramanbhai Vasava), Assistant Industries Commissioner (Class-I) of Gujarat, was on his way to Himmatnagar today in his car for medical care. He had been on medical leave for three days. Unidentified persons stopped his car near Giyod in the Mansa area and threatened to shoot him if he did not surrender. Vasava however didn’t spot any gun in their possession. The assailants forcibly took Vasava into their car, leaving his own vehicle behind. He was then taken to Prantij, Visnagar, Mansa, and other areas of North Gujarat through interior roads.

As the car approached Gandhinagar, the police conducted a courageous operation and apprehended the assailants after a chase and action-packed operation. A police inspector, who was part of the operation, positioned his private SUV in front of the kidnappers’ car and collided with it three times. The inspector’s SUV sustained damage to its front corner.

Vasava stated that he was kidnapped for extortion, as the kidnappers were aware that he was due to retire in the next five days (on June 30) and expected to receive retirement funds.

According to the police, Bikha Bharwad, the main accused in the case, demanded Rs. 50 lakh in extortion money from Vasava. Bharwad had approached Vasava several times, but Vasava did not yield to their demands or engage with them. Finally, today, Bhikha Bharwad and Rohit Thakor forcefully took Vasava into a white Swift car while he was on his way to Himmatnagar. The kidnappers drove their car through Visnagar and Gandhinagar for two hours. Meanwhile, Vasava’s wife approached the police and provided valuable information, leading the police to trace phone numbers and seek assistance from Sabarkantha, Mahesana, and Ahmedabad rural police. Eventually, after a daring chase and some dramatic maneuvers reminiscent of a film, the police intercepted the kidnappers’ car near Dedu Chowkdi, rescued Vasava, and arrested both accused.

Speaking to the media, Vasava expressed his gratitude to the Gujarat Police, stating that he was at a loss for words. He emphasized that today he experienced firsthand the effectiveness of the Gujarat Police. He described the highway operation as resembling a film scene and praised the police inspector who, without concern for his own private SUV, repeatedly collided with the kidnappers’ car. DeshGujarat