(Trinidad Guardian) Relatives of Chaguanas consultant Komal Maharaj claimed he was kidnapped, taken to Venezuela and only released on Friday afternoon after they paid a ransom.
They made the claims in a press statement yesterday afternoon almost 24 hours after Maharaj was reunited with them two weeks after he was reported missing.
The statement sought to indirectly dispel social media allegations that have been circulating since his release that the abduction was a hoax.
Maharaj’s family said: “While details of the entire ordeal cannot be made public at this time due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, we can confirm that Komal was held captive in Venezuela.
“During that period, Komal was able to communicate directly with members of his family and his wife, under the watchful eyes of his captors.”
They said the T&T Police Service (TTPS) was informed about what transpired.
“Under the TTPS’s guidelines, Komal’s release was negotiated. An undisclosed sum of money was paid for his safe return,” the statement said.
Relatives said Maharaj’s abductors dropped him off at sea off the southwestern coast of Trinidad.
“He swam to shore and found his way to a shop in Chatham, where he contacted his wife,” they said.
Maharaj was picked up by police officers who took him for a medical evaluation before reuniting him with his relatives.
“He continues to heal and work with the TTPS on its investigation,” the family said.
His relatives thanked members of the public for their prayers and support.
“Our family continues to pray that he heals from the trauma that was experienced and that life can resume with some level of normalcy,” the release said.
Maharaj, 40, a former teacher from Felicity, was reported missing after he went to an ATM in Price Plaza, Chaguanas, around 2 pm on July 19. His vehicle was found untouched at the location.
The Hunters Search and Rescue Team, led by its commander Shamsudeen Ayube, was enlisted to assist in the search for Maharaj and Crime Stoppers T&T offered a $10,000 reward for information on his whereabouts.
On Friday, Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally said he was relieved that Maharaj was found and called for a thorough investigation. He stressed that it was crucial for those responsible to be identified and held accountable to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Detectives of the Anti Kidnapping Unit (AKU) are continuing investigations.
