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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Torture gang member held in India | Torture gang member held in India |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A British man involved in the kidnap and torture of a Lancashire businessman has been arrested in India after almost five years on the run. | A British man involved in the kidnap and torture of a Lancashire businessman has been arrested in India after almost five years on the run. |
| Ajay Kaushal, 50, was detained in Goa on Monday by police investigating the death of a man he was travelling with. | Ajay Kaushal, 50, was detained in Goa on Monday by police investigating the death of a man he was travelling with. |
| Kaushal failed to appear at his British trial in January 2005 and was sentenced to 15 years in his absence. Five other men were also convicted. | |
| Lancashire Police are now liaising with the Indian authorities. | |
| Indian authorities said he was arrested by chance in Panaji after his travelling companion was found dead in a hotel room after apparently suffering a drug overdose. | Indian authorities said he was arrested by chance in Panaji after his travelling companion was found dead in a hotel room after apparently suffering a drug overdose. |
| Violent assault | |
| Deputy Police Superintendent Umesh Gaonkar said: "We found Kaushal's identification documents on him, which helped us confirm his identity and corroborate it with Lancashire Police." | Deputy Police Superintendent Umesh Gaonkar said: "We found Kaushal's identification documents on him, which helped us confirm his identity and corroborate it with Lancashire Police." |
| He said that Kaushal would be handed over to British police. | He said that Kaushal would be handed over to British police. |
| A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said: "Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this matter." | |
| Kaushal was part of a gang of men who kidnapped a shop manager at his home in Burnley in 2003 and drove him to a location in Manchester. | Kaushal was part of a gang of men who kidnapped a shop manager at his home in Burnley in 2003 and drove him to a location in Manchester. |
| The man was then subjected to a violent assault while demands for large sums of money were made to family and friends. Once a substantial quantity of money had been handed over to the kidnappers the man was released. | The man was then subjected to a violent assault while demands for large sums of money were made to family and friends. Once a substantial quantity of money had been handed over to the kidnappers the man was released. |
| 'Most wanted' | |
| Kaushal, who was living in Stretford, Greater Manchester, was arrested and later charged - along with five other men - with conspiracy to kidnap. | Kaushal, who was living in Stretford, Greater Manchester, was arrested and later charged - along with five other men - with conspiracy to kidnap. |
| The other five men were convicted during the trial at Preston Crown Court while their accomplice went on the run. | The other five men were convicted during the trial at Preston Crown Court while their accomplice went on the run. |
| Kaushal was highlighted as one of the force's most wanted men and its Serious and Organised Crime Unit had been actively pursuing him. | Kaushal was highlighted as one of the force's most wanted men and its Serious and Organised Crime Unit had been actively pursuing him. |
| Detectives are now preparing to travel out to India to bring him back to the UK. | Detectives are now preparing to travel out to India to bring him back to the UK. |