When kidnap victim turned out to be a 'glittering' fraud

Vaibhav Saxena swiftly formed two teams to identify the vehicles and suspects. "One team was sent to the hospital area where the incident took place.

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Another one was sent to conduct checks in isolated places near Aluva," says an officer, who was part of the probe. "While scanning the area where the abduction had occurred, we found an abandoned bag containing some replica ornaments. We then checked for CCTV cameras and spotted one just opposite the road where the abduction took place."

By noon, the police identified the registration number of the blue car. Efforts to contact its owner were unsuccessful, prompting officers to track the associated phone number.

Details of the vehicle were shared with all nearby police stations, leading to a breakthrough within hours. By 1pm, a police team intercepted the car in Uliyannoor, followed shortly by the second vehicle.

Seven men were arrested: Althaf Azeez, Adil Azeez, Hydrose, Fasil, Muhammad Amal, Muhammad Arif Khan, and Shijo Jose, all from Aluva and nearby areas.