Retired forest officer kidnapped, released after seven hours

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Retired assistant conservator of forests Eknath Kanhere (68), a resident of Garkheda, was abducted in broad daylight on Sunday over a multi-crore land dispute near Beed Bypass. The accused blindfolded him, tied his hands, poured an unknown chemical on his ribs, assaulted him, and robbed his ring and cash while threatening him to withdraw his land claim. After holding him captive for seven hours, from 12 pm to 7 pm, they abandoned him near Badnapur and fled. A case was registered at MIDC Cidco police station on Monday.

Kanhere had gone to his agricultural land at Gut No. 631 in Chikalthana Beed Bypass when the accused overpowered him in his car. Four persons drove around with him, assaulted him, questioned him about land disputes, and forced him to lie to his son during phone calls. The kidnappers later shifted him to another vehicle before releasing him. With help from locals, he contacted his family and returned home safely. The land dispute involves ancestral and inherited property, currently under court litigation. In his complaint, Kanhere has suspected his brother, brother-in-law, a revenue agent, and two others of orchestrating the abduction. Police sub-inspector Vishnu Mundhe is investigating the case.