Tulu Language and Codewords Saved my life – Kidnapped Victim Richard

Tulu Language and Codewords Saved my life – Kidnapped Victim Richard

Mangaluru: The kidnapped victim Richard Lazarus who was rescued from the kidnappers at Bharatpur, held a press meet at Hotel Woodlands here on August 6.

Addressing the mediapersons Richard said, “Two months ago, Arun D’Souza owner of Kirloskar dealership received a call from Bharatpur saying that they have 4 generators and they wanted to dispose of them. They also offered the best price which was very tempting for anyone to buy. Based on their offer Arun D’Souza sent me to Rajasthan to check and evaluate the generators. On July 28, I went to Mumbai and from there, continued my journey and reached Bharatpur on July 30. As soon as I reached Bharatpur I booked a hotel room but the persons who had called us insisted that I stay with them overnight. The next day in the morning a person came to pick me up by a pick-up saying that he will take me to show the generators. They did not show me any generators, but kidnapped me and took me to an isolated field and tied me up. Then they took away my mobiles, wallet and cash and demanded Rs 10 lakh with me for my release”.

Richard further said, “The kidnappers also called Arun D’Souza using my phone and made me talk to him. I spoke in the Tulu language and codewords, which they could not understand. I somehow managed to make Arun realize that I was kidnapped. They tied me up and kept me in a field leaving me to soak in the rain, every time it rained and dry in the hot sun. To keep me alive they gave me only water to drink. Whenever they wanted to discuss money matters, they made me talk to Arun. They carried weapons and had four of them monitor me. Thinking that they might kill me anytime, I went through a terrible experience in my life which I never went through before.”

Owner Arun D’Souza said, “When I received the call from Richard, I informed Congress Youth leader Pavan Raj and Prakash Pinto. I also met Minister U T Khader for help. Khader immediately responded and called Police commissioner Chandra Sekhar for Richard’s release from the kidnappers”.

Arun further said, “Chandra Sekhar immediately contacted the IGP of Rajasthan Ashok Varishta and SSP Bharatpur Kailash Vishnoi through the phone seeking their help in releasing Richard from the kidnappers. The police commissioner also formed a special team to investigate the case and under the able leadership of DCP L&O Shantharaju, DCP Crime and Traffic Dr Sanjeev Patil, and ACP Shruthi. SI from Ullal Police station Vijayaraj and Head Constables Mohan from Mangaluru rural police station, Prakash Pinto and Pavan Raj travelled to Mathura and reached there on August 1”.

Arun also said, “The kidnappers meanwhile had agreed to release Richard for Rs 5 lakh, so I booked a flight ticket (fake) to assure them that I will be flying to Delhi to reach Bharatpur. I have also sent them the copy of the flight ticket to assure them that I would be coming there with the cash. I had taken all the measures to release Richard from the kidnappers and he is the first one to return safely from the hands of those deadly criminals. I thank minister U T Khader, Police Commissioner Chandra Sekhar and all the police officials for their help to bring back Richard safely from the kidnappers”.

Speaking to the mediapersons Pavanraj said, “We went to Delhi, and from there we reached Bharatpur by car. With the support of IGP, the police found Richard in the ‘Deeg’ area. A special team from Bharatpur led by the SP along with his team and the Karnataka police team, in 20 police vehicles raided the area. 98% of the people in the area are involved in criminal activities like kidnapping, making country guns, selling ganja, and extortion. The police succeeded in arresting a notorious criminal Mahmood. In Richard’s kidnap, Mahmood had given his account number for crediting Rs 5 lakh. The police while investigating the account number came to know that the account number had a balance amount of Rs 45 lakh”.

He further said that the area is very dangerous for normal people to visit. It is recalled that when the Delhi police had earlier raided the area, gangs there had killed the police, so even when the police raid the area they need to be well armed and protected. While carrying out the raid the police had given us the bullet proof jacket, Pavanraj said.

Prakash Pinto and Naveen D’Souza were also present.