₹1 Cr Kerala lottery winner abducted and abandoned after ticket snatched; black market gang probed
Kannur, Kerala: Police have launched an investigation after a ₹1 crore lottery winner alleged that he was abducted by a gang and his winning ticket forcibly taken during a late-night meeting in Peravoor.
According to police, Sadique A K (46), a resident of Peravoor, was allegedly abducted by a five-member gang that snatched his Sthree Sakthi lottery ticket, which had won the ₹1 crore first prize in the December 30 draw.
Officials said the incident took place on Wednesday night, triggering a criminal probe after Sadique approached the police and filed a complaint on Thursday.
Attempt to sell ticket in black market
Police said that after winning the lottery, Sadique attempted to sell the ticket in the black market to secure an immediate payout, as a portion of the prize money would be deducted as tax.
Through a friend, he came into contact with one of the alleged gang members, who agreed to take the ticket and pay him cash, police said.
On Wednesday at around 9 pm, Sadique and his friend reached the Manathana area in Peravoor town to hand over the ticket and collect the agreed amount.
However, police said both were allegedly dragged into a car by the gang. After travelling some distance, Sadique’s friend was released.
Sadique was allegedly threatened inside the vehicle, and the lottery ticket was snatched from him before he was abandoned at another location at around 11.30 pm, police said.
Arrests and investigation underway
Based on details provided by Sadique, police traced one suspect, identified as Suhaib, and took him into custody.
Another alleged gang member, identified as Faris, has also been named, while efforts are under way to identify and arrest the remaining accused, police said.
The case has been registered under Sections 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 137(2) (kidnapping) and 310(2) (dacoity) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.