Rajkot, September 15: A shocking case unfolded when a businessman kidnapped over loan repaid was rescued in Devbhoomi Dwarka district. Police acted quickly and saved 25-year-old Jigar Pandya while arresting five accused men involved in the crime.
Police identified the suspects as Kishan Manek (24), Mehul alias Bhuro Parmar (20), Karan Kara (19), Umesh Manek (21), and Kanaiya alias Kano Hathiya (25). During the operation, police also seized three two-wheelers, mobile phones, and other items worth Rs 1.51 lakh.
The case began when Jigar borrowed Rs 70,000 from Kishan for his business. The loan carried a heavy interest of Rs 5,000 every 10 days, which he paid for months through UPI. Later, Kishan gave him another Rs 60,000 against two gold rings and Rs 70,000 in cash. Jigar repaid Rs 50,000 online and Rs 20,000 in cash. Despite this, Kishan demanded Rs 1.20 lakh, claiming it included unpaid interest.
On September 15, Kishan confronted Jigar near his brother’s office. With the help of his associates, he forcibly took Jigar to Mevasa village. There, they tied him up, locked him in a room, and beat him. The gang ordered Jigar to call his family for ransom and threatened to kill him if he refused.
Jigar bravely sent his location on WhatsApp to his brother, who immediately alerted police. Inspector DN Vanza led the Mithapur police team that rescued Jigar in time. Thanks to their swift response, the businessman survived a life-threatening situation.
Investigations show that Kishan has three previous criminal cases, including assault and issuing death threats. Mehul has pending cases of intimidation, while Karan is linked to attempted murder. Umesh and Kanaiya also face similar charges. Police confirmed that all five men have a record of violent crimes.
This case highlights a bigger problem. Punjab and nearby regions have seen a sharp rise in loan-related crimes. Many kidnappings are linked to unpaid or high-interest loans. In fact, Punjab ranked among the top states in India for personal loan defaults in 2022. Defaults often push lenders to use illegal methods like threats, violence, and kidnappings.
Chandigarh, being a Union Territory, has a different legal system to address financial disputes, but Punjab still faces challenges in handling loan recovery cases. Experts say that awareness about safe borrowing, financial planning, and legal remedies is the key to preventing such crimes.
Authorities stress that education campaigns can protect people from falling into debt traps. Citizens need to know the risks of high-interest loans and the safe options available. Communities and the government must work together to stop financial exploitation and protect vulnerable families.
While the Rajkot police deserve credit for saving Jigar, the incident proves that prevention is more effective than rescue. Building financial awareness and ensuring strict laws against predatory lending are necessary to reduce such risks. Clearly, the story of the businessman kidnapped over loan repaid serves as a warning and a call for stronger action.
