Industrialist Rathi, Chudal found dead in India
KAKADVITTA /BIRATNAGAR, FEB 03 -
Biratnagar-based industrialist Ganga Bishan Rathi, who was missing for last three weeks, was found dead in Siliguri, India, on Saturday. The Siliguri Police recovered Rathi’s body from Sukuna forest area, some 16km away from the Siliguri town.
The Indian authority confirmed the incident development holding a press meet. Commissioner of Siliguri Police, Anand Kumar, said the bodies of Rathi and Chandra Prakash Chudal, chief of Siva Sena Nepal, were recovered. He said the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition.
The Indian police suspect the duo might have been murdered some 20 days ago and the abductors sought ransom after killing them.
Sixty-nine-year-old Rathi had gone missing from Siliguri since January 11. He had gone to the Indian town the previous day on a business trip. Rathi was the former chairman of Morang Merchants’ Association and Nepal-India Friendship Association. Rathi, who often rode motorcycle, was involved in food industry. Rathi owned industries related to oil, rice and jute. He was the owner of Chandra Shiva Rice Mill, Ghaila Chhap Oil and wheat flour mills.
Police found the bodies as per the statements of Indian nationals Surendra Kumar Mishra and Abhijit Basu who were arrested in connection with Rathi’s abduction. Mishra and Basu were arrested last week from Bolpur area of Birbung district of West Bengal. The Indian Police also took control of Mishra’s wife Monica the next day.
With the recovery of Rathi’s body, Biratnagar-based businesspersons have been terrorised. “The abduction and consequent murder of Rathi is irreparable loss to the industrial as well as social sector. The killing of a social worker and low-profile businessman like Rathi suggests that no one is secured now,” said Abinash Bohara, chairman of Morang Merchants’ Association.
According to Rathi’s family, they paid IRs 5 million in ransom to the abductors. The family informed the police after Rathi was not released even after the ransom payment. Initially, the kidnappers had asked Rs 20 million in ransom, but it was settled at Rs 5 million later, according to a family source. Despite settling the ransom amount, the abductors were refusing to allow Rathi contact with his family members.
