Palakkad/Thiruvananthapuram: A Malayali expatriate businessman was kidnapped at gunpoint in Kerala but managed to escape and was rescued with police assistance, with preliminary investigations pointing to business rivalry as the likely motive. The incident has sent shockwaves across the local business community, highlighting the growing intensity of commercial disputes in the state.

The victim, VP Mohammed Ali, has business interests spanning Kerala and the Gulf region, including ownership of educational institutions. According to officials, Ali was traveling from his residence in Wandoor, Malappuram district, to Cochin International Airport on Saturday evening when the attack occurred. Around 6 pm, near Thirumittacode in Palakkad district, his car—a Toyota Vellfire—was intercepted by a four-member gang traveling in a Toyota Innova. The gang allegedly smashed his car windows, threatened him with firearms, and forcibly took him to an isolated house in Kothakurissi.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that preliminary evidence suggests a business rivalry as the motive behind the abduction. “One of his business rivals is suspected to be behind the kidnapping. The gang also made references to a college that Ali had recently purchased,” the officer said. Following the abduction, Ali’s relatives received ransom calls from the perpetrators.

The businessman managed to escape from the captors’ hideout in the early hours of Sunday while his kidnappers slept. He immediately contacted authorities, who promptly ensured his safety. “The businessman informed us as soon as he escaped, and we took him to safety,” the police officer added. Ali sustained minor injuries during the ordeal and was hospitalized briefly; his condition is now stable.

The police have identified three members of the gang involved in the kidnapping and said they are actively pursuing leads to apprehend them. “We have sufficient information to track the perpetrators, and we are confident they will be brought to justice soon,” the officer stated.

Siyas, Ali’s younger brother, confirmed suspicions about a business rival being behind the crime. “We have handed over contact numbers and details of the people we suspect to the police. My brother mentioned that the kidnappers were talking about a college he recently purchased,” he told local media. This suggests that the abduction may have been part of a larger plan to intimidate or extort him in connection with his business dealings.

Officials noted that incidents involving threats, intimidation, and rivalry-driven conflicts have increased in Kerala’s business sector, especially where stakes are high in sectors like education and real estate. They emphasized the importance of swift action and intelligence coordination to prevent such crimes from escalating.

The case has raised concerns over the safety of prominent businessmen and expatriates visiting Kerala, particularly those with high-value commercial interests. Local police have urged business owners and residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Authorities are now investigating the motive in detail and working to uncover any larger network that might have facilitated the crime. They are also reviewing security measures for business owners traveling in potentially vulnerable areas.

The successful escape and police intervention in this case have been credited with preventing a potential escalation of the crime. The law enforcement agencies are coordinating with multiple districts to ensure that all suspects involved are apprehended swiftly and that similar incidents are deterred in the future.