Dass said Ajay Kumar, along with his friends Foghat, Krishan and Jitender, had hatched the conspiracy to kidnap Abhai.

'They even purchased many questionable articles like rope, stick, gloves, plaster tape, few locks and cotton and electric wires. All these were used in the abduction and captivity. They had also put black film on his Wagon-R car few days back as part of preparations for their operation.' Dass said.

'In order to misguide us and the victim's family, Ajay Kumar returned the next day to his house in Pushp Vihar and told us he was also abducted. He said he had taken Rs.100,000 from his house to pay for his release,' Dass said.

Police said Ajay Kumar made calls from a nearby public telephone booth to Abhai's father saying that he (Abhai) had been abducted.

Ajay Kumar, however, later joined the abductors at Kosli village and stayed with them, police said.

Dass said over 50 men were roped in for the investigation and a raid was conducted Thursday morning at the house in Kosli. Foghat tried to fire at the policemen with a countrymade pistol but was overpowered.

Police said search was on to nab their accomplices.