Tourists Rescued After Alleged Kidnapping By Cops Near Kamshet
Four tourists were allegedly kidnapped and extorted by men posing as cops, but were rescued after sending an SOS via smartwatch.
A shocking incident occurred on Sunday near Kamshet on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway, where four tourists were allegedly kidnapped and threatened by men posing as Highway Safety Patrol personnel. The tourists, who were travelling from Pune to Lonavala, were stopped by a police vehicle and blocked near Kamshet. The six personnel, who were wearing uniforms with 'Highway Traffic Police' jackets, searched one of the tourists and found a packet of cigarettes, which they claimed contained ganja. They then threatened to book the group under narcotics laws and demanded ₹5 lakh to avoid legal action.
The tourists, who were held for nearly seven hours, were not allowed to contact anyone and were taken to an ATM in Talegaon to withdraw money. However, one of the tourists, Mohammad Kashan Azmi, discreetly sent an emergency alert using his smartwatch, which reached the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Control Room. Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey immediately directed teams to trace the location, and three DCPs joined the operation. Realising that the victims had alerted the police, the accused allegedly fled the spot, and the tourists were rescued safely.
According to the complaint lodged by Bhushit Umesh Sharma, a resident of Viman Nagar, Pune, the group was travelling to Mapro Garden in Lonavala in a car when they were stopped by the police vehicle. The complaint states that the personnel searched Mohammad and found a packet of cigarettes, which they claimed contained ganja. The group was allegedly threatened and demanded to pay ₹5 lakh to avoid legal action.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of tourists on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. The police have registered an FIR against six unknown policemen under Pune rural police for kidnapping four persons. The identities of the accused are yet to be established. The police are investigating the incident and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the accused.
The rescue operation was successful due to the quick thinking of Mohammad Kashan Azmi, who sent an SOS via his smartwatch. The incident highlights the importance of being aware of one's surroundings and having access to emergency services. The police have assured that they will take strict action against the accused and ensure the safety of tourists on the expressway.
The incident has also raised questions about the authenticity of the personnel involved. Initially, police suspected that the crime had been committed by impersonators, but based on the victims' statements and CCTV footage, investigators concluded that those involved were personnel attached to the Highway Safety Patrol. The police are investigating the incident and are working to identify the accused and bring them to justice.
In conclusion, the incident is a shocking reminder of the risks faced by tourists on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. The police have assured that they will take strict action against the accused and ensure the safety of tourists on the expressway. The incident highlights the importance of being aware of one's surroundings and having access to emergency services. The police are investigating the incident and are working to identify the accused and bring them to justice.
