‘Welcome’ Actor Mushtaq Khan Kidnapped, Tortured for Hours, Escapes After Paying ₹2 Lakh
Film actor Mushtaq Khan, known for his roles in Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke and Welcome, endured a harrowing ordeal when he was abducted, tortured, and forced to transfer ₹2 lakh to his kidnappers before he managed to escape. The incident, which occurred on November 20 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has led to the registration of an FIR by the police.
According to the complaint filed by Khan’s manager, the actor received a call on November 15 at his Mumbai residence from someone identifying himself as Rahul Saini. Saini invited Khan to an event in Meerut, promising a felicitation ceremony. Given Khan’s history of attending similar events, the invitation did not raise suspicion. To further convince him, Saini transferred ₹25,000 as an advance payment via UPI and sent an air ticket from Mumbai to Delhi.
On November 20, Khan landed in Delhi, where a cab arranged by Saini awaited him. The vehicle, carrying the driver and another individual, soon stopped, and Khan was asked to switch to a different car. This car was driven by the same individual, but now carried two additional passengers. Later, two more men joined, bringing the total number of kidnappers to five.
Sensing danger, Khan protested but was subdued as the kidnappers covered him with a sheet and forced him to keep his head down. After a three-to-four-hour journey, they arrived at a house where the actor was tortured. The kidnappers coerced him to contact his family and transfer funds to an account they controlled. Using his phone, they succeeded in transferring ₹2 lakh.
The captors, reportedly intoxicated, fell asleep early the next morning, giving Khan a chance to escape. He sought refuge at a nearby mosque, where the cleric helped him contact his family. Due to Khan’s poor health following the incident, his manager filed the complaint, demanding strict action against the perpetrators.
Possible Link to Sunil Pal’s Kidnapping
Mushtaq Khan’s abduction has raised questions about a possible connection to the recent kidnapping of comedian Sunil Pal. According to reports, Pal was abducted while returning from an event in Uttarakhand. He claimed a man posing as a fan forced him into a car at a roadside stop.
The abductors initially demanded ₹20 lakh but released Pal after he managed to arrange ₹8 lakh with help from friends. Pal was eventually left on the side of a road in Meerut, from where he reached Delhi airport and flew back to Mumbai. His wife had earlier lodged a missing person complaint.
Meerut Police are now investigating whether the two incidents are linked, as both involve abductions and financial extortion in the same region. Further investigations are underway.
