Days after comedian Sunil Pal claimed he was kidnapped, Stree 2 actor Mushtaq Khan has alleged a similar experience. The actor revealed he was invited to an event in Meerut but ended up being kidnapped. Reportedly, Khan had received an advance payment for the event and flight tickets to Delhi, making the invitation appear legitimate.
What went down
Mushtaq Khan’s business partner, Shivam Yadav, told India Today that the actor was tortured for 12 hours and the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₹1 crore (£97,000). They eventually extorted ₹2 lakh (£1,940) from Khan and his son’s bank accounts.
Khan managed to escape after hearing the morning azaan, believing a mosque was nearby. Following the incident, he returned to Mumbai and filed an FIR at the Santacruz police station. Shivam Yadav explained: “Mushtaq sir and his family were completely shaken over what happened. However, he was determined to file an FIR once he composed himself. We have proof of the flight ticket, the bank accounts, and even CCTV footage near the airport. He also recognises the neighbourhood and the house where he was kept. I believe the police will catch the culprits soon.”
A Chilling Pattern
This is not the first such incident involving entertainers in Meerut. In September, actor Rajesh Puri also claimed he narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt. Puri told the Free Press Journal that he had been paid ₹35,000 (£340) in advance and sent flight tickets to attend an event. However, upon reaching Delhi, he was transferred into another car and realised something was amiss when the group gave vague responses about the destination.
Puri shared: “When I mentioned my strong connections in Delhi, they appeared uncomfortable. They took me to eat at a dhaba when we were 12 km away from Meerut. There, they revealed I had been kidnapped but dropped me off at the border, where my brother-in-law picked me up.”
Similarly, Sunil Pal recently alleged he was abducted and made to transfer ₹7.5 lakh (£7,275) after being threatened with a poison-filled injection. The kidnappers eventually gave him ₹20,000 (£194) to book a flight back to Mumbai.
Mushtaq Khan’s FIR has provided crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and bank transaction details. Law enforcement agencies are now investigating these alarming incidents, which appear to target public figures with well-planned, seemingly professional setups.