Kolkata: A real estate developer narrowly escaped an alleged kidnapping attempt linked to an extortion demand. According to a victim’s complaint, the incident occurred on the evening of April 19 near a petrol pump on Karl Marx Sarani. The developer said that he had been called to the spot under the pretext of a business discussion. Upon arrival, he was allegedly confronted by a group of men who demanded Rs 18 lakh as “protection money” to allow construction work at his Bhukailash Road project to continue.When he refused, the situation reportedly escalated. The main accused allegedly summoned over 50 associates, and one of them held a knife to the developer’s stomach in an apparent attempt to abduct him in public. His cries for help drew the attention of locals, forcing the group to flee.The complainant also claimed he had earlier paid over Rs 1 lakh under pressure from the same group. He has urged police to examine CCTV footage from the nearby petrol pump.
