– kidnappers also want surveillance footage

THE wife of kidnapped businessman 40-year-old Rajendra Singh, also known as Sunil, is reportedly facing a new ransom demand of $25M for the safe return of her husband.

This latest development was communicated to this newspaper by a close friend of the business couple who confirmed that the kidnappers have been in contact with the woman.
According to information received, the kidnappers have allowed the woman to speak with her husband but insisted that she must not speak to the media or the police. In addition, she has been ordered to have the money ready along with the video footage taken by security cameras at the business premises where the kidnapping occurred.
It was also reported that the lawyers for the family have instructed that there be little said by the family because of the sensitivity of the matter but assured that once the man is returned safely a statement will be made.
However, failure to comply with any of the demands will cause the businessman to be killed by the kidnappers who threatened to then go after his wife and child, the Guyana Chronicle was told.

The close family friend explained that the woman who witnessed her husband being taken away by the kidnappers remains very traumatized and has since removed from her home in Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara to a safe place.
Rajendra Singh is in the business of selling spare parts and purchasing crashed vehicles and the roadside business has been in existence for several years. Recently, the businessman acquired other properties to store his spares which were previously considered encumbrances.
After the kidnappers had forced the businessman on Saturday into his own car trunk and drove off, they then contacted his wife to demand a $50M ransom by midnight on Saturday. However, they later revisited their demand and slashed the ransom amount in half.
This newspaper has been unable to confirm if the kidnappers have given the man’s relatives any deadline for the new ransom amount.
It was reported to the Guyana Chronicle that on Saturday night two men arrived at the Foulis, Enmore Public Road business and entered the store. The businessman’s wife observed the men but thought that they were there for legitimate business, according to the family friend.
The friend said that the woman related that the men then whipped out firearms and began beating her husband before ordering the man into his own car trunk. The men reportedly asked for the couple’s 13-year-old son who was fortunately not at the business place at the time.
The police yesterday in ‘C’ Division continued their manhunt for the kidnapped businessman and were being assisted by a relative of the man who had worked in the Guyana Police Force during the 2002 – 2005 high profile criminal period.
However, up to late last evening there have been no confirmed reports of the man being found or the ransom being paid.

(By Leroy Smith )