Friday, January 11, 2013

V. M. PANDIT, former senior C.B.I. official,

“The problem comes when the CEO or his family members move out of their homes...”

B&E: Is there a security threat to CEOs and their families today?

V. M. Pandit (VMP): Definitely there is this fear today. I have worked for the CBI for 26 years, but since 1993, I have been completely involved with corporate investigations and my experience tells me that there is a big threat to CEOs and their families, as organised crime has grown and kidnapping has become a big business today. The general scenario of crime in India is that law and order is not doing enough to keep everyone protected from harm, not even the privileged class. And the fact that these criminals can boast about political connections, they get great shelter in all aspects. So they can commit such crimes, and these crimes are generally committed by organised bodies. Thee criminals keep a tab on the rich people of the community and those who are vulnerable to kidnapping, including the CEOs and their families.

B&E: When are the chances of getting kidnapped the highest?

VMP: The problem comes when the CEO or his family members move out of their homes, i.e. in transit. That is the term which makes them vulnerable - in transit. On their part, all CEOs also cannot afford escorts and bodyguards for all in their family. Moreover, their family members follow fixed routes, to school, to office, to the market. They frequent the same restaurant, the same club, and that too at fixed hours. So the criminals select a particular target after conducting a brief survey – the survey can be anything, right from who is the courier boy who most frequently delivers parcels at a particular location to who the security guards are, their shifts, etc etc. In the process of knowing more, they come to know which market and clubs they flock to and which schools or colleges their offsprings are linked to. So that is the first step of any kidnapping activity.

B&E: Do they often harm the asset?

VMP: If their ransom demands are not being met, then you definitely are calling for trouble. If the ransom demand has come over the phone, then be sure that their ‘gang members’ are always keeping a track of how you proceed with the execution of the payment. They would know if you are defying their instructions. The moment they find out that you have approached the police, their ransom demand increases. The party also shows little care for the victim, if you try to find their hideout; so in that case, they will most likely do away with the kidnapped individual.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

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