Team Herald

MAPUSA: Four Goan youth who were abducted on December 10 from Kolhapur have been released unharmed by their abductors on Tuesday afternoon.

The abducted youth have been identified as Rahul Dhargalkar (21) and Dyaneshwar Gokakkar (21) both from Dangui Colony in Mapusa; and Manoj Goankar (20) and Sawlo Gaonkar (20), both from Mayem in Bicholim taluka.

According to sources, the four youth were returning home from Shirdi on December 10, when two cars reportedly followed them, later blocked the Creta at Kagai in Kolhapur and allegedly abducted the youth. 

Later, the abductors contacted the parents of the youth and demanded Rs 25 lakh as ransom for releasing their sons, failing which the abductors threatened to kill the captives.

On receiving the phone call, the parents immediately left for Kolhapur to secure the release of their sons; but when the abductors failed to turn up at a prearranged place, the parents complained to Kolhapur police.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday at around 2.30 pm the abductors reportedly released the youth near Ajra Petrol pump in Kolhapur and fled from the scene.