Three men, including the son of a senior Gujarat BJP Scheduled Tribes cell official, have been arrested in Bharuch district for allegedly abducting an industrial contractor and demanding a share of his project earnings as extortion, police said.
The victim, Vinay Indrajit Yadav, a native of Uttar Pradesh who lives in Vapi, had secured a ₹50-lakh contract for a boiler and steam pipe project at the Steam House India unit in Jhagadia GIDC.
According to the complaint, Yadav was allegedly intercepted by a group inside the industrial estate on August 15. The suspects reportedly forced him into a Mahindra Thar and drove away while threatening him with violence.
Gang allegedly demanded ₹25 lakh
During the alleged abduction, the suspects demanded 50% of Yadav’s project earnings, amounting to ₹25 lakh. The group reportedly stopped at a roadside eatery and made Yadav pay for their refreshments through UPI.
Police are believed to have used the digital payment trail as part of their investigation.
Yadav later lodged a complaint at the Jhagadia GIDC police station and identified Jaymin Ranchhod Patel of Ankleshwar as the alleged mastermind. Patel is currently absconding.
Three arrested, main accused on the run
Following the complaint, police arrested three suspects identified as Mathews Shantilal Vasava, Lalu alias Maya Ambubhai Vasava and Kiran Pravinbhai Vasava.
Mathews Vasava is the son of Shantilal Vasava, a state-level office-bearer of the BJP’s Scheduled Tribes wing. Meanwhile, photographs allegedly showing absconding accused Jaymin Patel with local political figures have surfaced on social media, bringing political connections into focus.
Raids launched to trace absconding accused
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of industrial contractors in Bharuch’s manufacturing belt. Jhagadia GIDC has previously reported incidents linked to contract-related disputes and alleged intimidation.
Police teams are conducting raids in Ankleshwar and surrounding areas to trace Patel. Officials said further action is underway and the investigation will also focus on identifying any other persons allegedly involved in the extortion racket.