Team Herald
MARGAO: Alert residents foiled a kidnapping attempt by three unknown persons on Kunal Raikar, a scion of a prominent jewellers family, at gunpoint in broad daylight at Aquem, on Wednesday.
The Margao Police said that the incident occurred when Raikar had gone to drop his children to school at Aquem.
They said that Raikar in his police complaint stated that on Wednesday October 23, between 8 am and 8.15 am three masked persons arrived in a van and restrained him, near Baby Blossom School.
One of the men tried to abduct Raikar at gunpoint, forcing Raikar into their vehicle. Locals on noticing the trio, rushed to Raikar’s rescue, but the kidnappers managed to flee.
During the scuffle, Raikar sustained a minor injury and cops seized the magazine of the firearm along with rounds found at the spot.
The shocking incident, which sent shock waves across South Goa, has raised concerns about the safety of citizens due to the increase in criminal activities such as theft, drug sales, and illegal betting in the town.
“The motive behind the incident is yet to be ascertained, and we are investigating,” said a senior police officer.
The police have registered an offence under Section 138 r/w 62, 126(2), 61(2), 351(2) r/w 3(5) of BNS 2023 and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.
The police are yet to make any arrests and have not recovered the weapon or the vehicle used in the attempted kidnapping.