HYDERABAD: A 32-year-old businessman from the city, who went on a vacation to Malaysia, was allegedly kidnapped and reported to have been killed when his family failed to pay the `30 lakh ransom. Vasudev Rajpurohit, a native of Rajasthan, has been running a gift store at Sainikpuri for the last 15 years.
Vasudev, a resident of Kushaiguda, is survived by wife and nine-year-old daughter. On October 28, he along with two friends went to Singapore and from there to Malaysia on October 31. They were supposed to return on November 3.
Meanwhile Shyam, Vasudev’s brother, who runs a gift shop at Kushaiguda, on October 31 received a message on WhatsApp saying that his brother had been kidnapped in Malaysia and demanded a ransom of `30 lakh.
However, Shyam pleaded with the kidnappers that they do not have enough money and requested them to release him. One of the kidnappers spoke to Shyam demanding the ransom and the next day, they sent a voice recording which contained Vasudev’s voice pleading to save his life.
Meantime, Vasudev’s friend Srinivas, lodged a missing person complaint with the Malaysian police. Srinivas, in his complaint, said that Vasudev went out of the Royce Hotel International at Jalan Tun in Kuala Lumpur for exchanging currency. But, did not return to the hotel. ‘’ We are trying to call his number, but not able to reach him,” Srinivas stated in his complaint with the Bricks Field Police on November 3.
In the meantime Vasudev’s elder brother Ramsingh Rajpurohit met External Affairs Ministry offciials in New Delhi, who contacted the Indian Embassy officials in Malaysia. While all the efforts were on to trace the kidnapped businessman, Ramsingh received news about the death of his brother on November 8. Vasudev’s body was abandoned in an isolated place in Kuala Lumpur.
The Brick Fields police in Malaysia shifted the body to a hospital where some people identified him as a Hyderabad resident and passed on the information to Ramsingh With the help of MEA, Shyam and his two cousins left for Malaysia on November 8. The body is expected to arrive in the city on Saturday night.
Ramsingh said “We are waiting for our brother’s body to arrive home. Nobody in our family was informed about his demise. We are scared to share the news with our parents as both of them are cardiac patients.” The Malaysian police have arrested five persons in this connection.
A fatal trip
October 28: Vasudev leaves for Singapore with two friends
Oct 31: They go to Malaysia
Oct 31: Kidnappers message his brother demanding `30 lakh as ransom
Nov 3; Vasudev’s friend files complaint in Kaula Lumpur
Nov 8: Vasudev’s brother receives news about his death