Businessman from Sharjah apprehended along with six others, including a former employee, in Kerala on kidnapping charges
Former Employee Suspected in Kidnapping of UAE-Based Indian Businessman
A former employee of UAE-based Indian businessman VP Shameer, named Puthu Veettil Shamseer, is suspected to be the mastermind behind the businessman's kidnapping in Kerala, India. Shameer, 36, was abducted on August 13, 2025, near his house in Malappuram while on holiday.
The police rescue operation, which spanned across districts, was carried out "promptly and efficiently," according to a company representative. Shameer was safely returned without harm after about 39 hours.
The latest updates on the investigation reveal that 11 suspects have been arrested so far, including Shamseer. The perpetrators are currently in police custody.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of Dh1.5 million (approx. ₹3.75 crore), contradicting earlier reports of a ₹10.5 million ransom demand. The police tracked the kidnappers using CCTV footage and location tracking, discovering their movement through Ernakulam and involving authorities in Kollam.
The victim’s business partner in the UAE received ransom calls from Shameer’s phone shortly after the abduction, but the police could not trace those calls when the kidnapper switched off the phone.
The rescue involved stopping the kidnappers during an attempted escape near the Kerala border. The local police are investigating the vehicles used to transport Shameer.
Shameer owns a Sharjah-based chain of pharmacies and was dismissed from service by Shamseer. It is thought that Shamseer, who has previous charges against him, including an attempt to murder, harboured personal enmity towards his former employer.
Shameer's wife flew to India immediately after the incident. The police are continuing their investigation to recover all the vehicles and arrest everyone involved. They suspect more people may be involved in the crimes.
This report was written by Nasreen Abdulla, a Special Correspondent covering food, tech, and human interest stories. The police believe that Shameer's dismissal from service fueled rage in Shamseer, leading to the kidnapping.
[1] Kerala police rescue UAE-based businessman after 39 hours [2] Former employee suspected in UAE-based businessman's kidnapping [3] Police rescue UAE-based businessman in Kerala, suspect former employee [4] Motive behind UAE-based businessman's kidnapping still under investigation [5] Eleven arrested in connection to UAE-based businessman's kidnapping
[1] The 'prompt and efficient' police operation in Kerala, India resulted in the successful rescue of VP Shameer, a UAE-based Indian businessman who was kidnapped on August 13, 2025.
[2] The prime suspect in the case, Puthu Veettil Shamseer, a former employee of Shameer, is believed to have masterminded the kidnapping. Shamseer has previous charges against him, including an attempt to murder.
[3] The ongoing investigation has seen the arrest of 11 suspects, including Shamseer, and is still working to recover all the vehicles involved and arrest everyone involved. The police are also investigating the general-news events surrounding the ransom demands and the possible involvement of crime-and-justice elements.
