"Operation Desert Safari"

When Thekkat Siddhique arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi on 11th March, 2001 in the wee hours of morning, he could hardly
contain his excitement. An Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur, always ready to venture into
uncharted territories, he was in Delhi on the invitation of one Vijay Rathore, whom he had never met. Claiming to be a prosperous Delhi based businessman, Vijay had contacted him repeatedly on his mobile phone and through e-mails, inviting him to Delhi for business negotiations in import of ceramics. The mere thought that he had been sought out by Rathore, was enough to make him undertake this journey.

As he stepped out of the Arrival Lounge he felt the spring in the Delhi air, which was still cool and crisp. The spring in his own step was no less. Vijay Rathore had informed him that he would be received by his secretary Amar, who would be carrying mobile no. 98101 xxxxx. He rang up Amar on his mobile and they decided to meet at the main exit of the airport.
Amar informed him that Vijay was waiting for him at his office-cum-residence. They were soon
on their way in a silver-colored Hyundai Accent with Amar on the wheel. Thekkat called his
wife in Abu Dhabi and informed her of his safe arrival in Delhi, assuring her that he would be
home soon.

Thekkat Siddhique originally hailed from Calicut in Kerala and had shifted to Abu Dhabi about twenty two years ago in search of greener pastures. In mid-forties, whitish complexioned, of medium height, he had a pleasant and presentable personality, ideal for the liaison work he did for several companies. He had done reasonably well for himself but was given to a bit of braggadocio about his wealth, unaware it could attract undue attention. A Dubai based gangster Ali Budesh received news of ‘his’ boundless riches and plotted to have him abducted during his visit to India, aware that such adventurism in the Gulf was foolhardy to attempt. Ali Budesh had enough ‘connections’in India to implement his plans.

To be continued...